Today, ten Guernsey officers travelled to Alderney and searched the Eagle Medical Practice as well as a private residential address after a Guernsey Health Department investigation raised concerns about the death of a patient.
The department subsequently identified three other deaths that were a concern and notified Guernsey Police.
The doctor’s practice has had restrictions placed on it and a doctor has been suspended from treating patients while the investigation is carried out.
Patrick Rice, Guernsey’s police chief, said: ‘It is likely medical records will be seized. This decisive early action was necessary in order to ensure the protection of the public, which is always our primary concern.
‘The Bailiwick community will be understandably concerned by news of this investigation. By its nature it will be complex and take time to establish the full facts.’
He added: ‘We have deployed family liaison officers to Alderney to help support the families of the patients in question and I want to reassure members of the community that this will be a diligent investigation, which will be conducted as expeditiously as possible.’
Speaking at a press conference held at Guernsey police headquarters this afternoon Carol Tozer, Guernsey Health Department’s chief officer, confirmed that a doctor was the subject of a formal investigation.
‘While GP practices in Alderney are privately run businesses, we act as the investigating authority for complaints involving our staff or incidents taking place in our facilities.
‘I would like to stress that my department’s primary concern is that of public safety.
‘The GMC has confirmed that the doctor’s practice is already under restrictions and he is being investigated. I want to take this opportunity to reassure Alderney residents. We are actively working with health providers on the island for them to provide ongoing primary healthcare to local people,’ she said.
