A member of staff at a Blackpool hospital was arrested on suspicion of murder, rape and sexual assault.
Police have confirmed the arrest follows a wider investigation into alleged mistreatment and neglect of patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital's stroke unit, Lancashire Live reports.
Lancashire Constabulary said the investigation started in November 2018 and several post-mortem examinations were conducted.
Following this a separate murder investigation was launched.
Police said as a result of their enquiries information relating to other allegations of serious sexual assaults against two patients were received, as well as the sexual assault of a healthcare professional working on the stroke unit.
Today one man was arrested on suspicion of murder, two offences of rape and one offence of sexual assault and remains in custody this evening for questioning.
He has also been suspended by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The arrest is not linked to the ongoing investigation into allegations of poisoning and neglect.
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Det Ch Insp Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police, said: “We have today arrested a man in connection with a number of serious offences.
“We understand this will cause some significant concern in the community but please be reassured we have a dedicated team of officers conducting a number of enquiries.
“These are complicated and sensitive allegations which we are committed to investigating thoroughly.
“We are offering support to those involved and they are being updated throughout the process by trained officers.
“Our priority and the priority of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to ensure the safety of patients. We are working closely with the Trust as well as HM Coroner for Blackpool and Fylde as part of the investigation.
“If you have any information or have worked on the stroke unit and can assist with our enquiries, please come forward and speak to police immediately.”
Anyone with information in connection with the investigation can contact police on 101 quoting log 0942 of March 3 or report it via the major incident portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
