Pinoy nurse in UK suspected of causing deaths of 3 patients

The Filipino community in Stockport, United Kingdom (UK) expressed their shock over suspicion that a Filipino nurse killed three patients at a local hospital where he was working.   The Manchester Evening News reported on Tuesday (UK time) that community leaders are offering prayers for 46-year-old Victorino Chua, a Philippine national who was arrested last week on suspicion of contaminating saline drips that led to the death of three patients at Stepping Hill Hospital during the summer.   The contamination has caused harm to 18 others, the report said.    In an interview, Erwin Bufi, the acting president of the United Filipinos of Stockport, said the members of his organization—from about 100 families—were stunned by the news.   “The only thing we can do is pray and hope all these accusations in the news aren’t true,” Bufi said, adding that Chua—who is known in the community as “Vic”—is known as a decent, hard-working family man.   The Manchester Evening News said Chua was first arrested “on suspicion of tampering with medical records,” after a female patient “was given the wrong medication last week.”   “While he was being quizzed, Mr. Chua was re-arrested on suspicion of the murders of Tracey Arden, 44; Arnold Lancaster, 71; and Derek Weaver, 83, during the summer,” the report said. “He was also quizzed in connection with 18 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.”
Meanwhile, Stepping Hill has confirmed that the Filipino cannot return to work because of his bail conditions.   The report said Chua is believed to have fled the region with his wife and two children after he was freed on police bail just before midnight on Sunday. He is obliged to return to a police station in April.   Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) show that there has been a decline in the number of Filipinos in UK—from more than 18,000 in 2004, the numbers have dipped to only 5,284 as of 2010.    Though the numbers have also dropped for Filipino nurses, the UK still remained one of the top destinations for them, placing sixth with 350 Filipino nurses in the 2010 statistics. - with Rose-An Dioquino, VVP, GMA News