Police are investigating allegations made against a Southend nurse after the deaths of 18 children, it has been revealed today (Thursday).

The 47-year-old Hadleigh woman was suspended by the former Southend Community Care Services NHS Trust nine months ago on unrelated matters.

A routine internal investigation was held but police were called in when there were suspicions she could have hastened the death of the children.

The ages of the nine girls and nine boys are understood to have ranged from eight weeks to 17.

The bodies of most of the children were cremated but six are thought to have been buried. Their bodies may have to be exhumed for further tests to be carried out.

Information Hotline: 0800 1691619 Dr John Cormack, a British Medical Association representative and South Woodham GP, said: "If a parent is told that a child has a terminal illness it is the worst day of their life.

"But then to be told a member of the medical profession may have had a hand in bringing that life to an end, rubs salt into the wound and adds to the pain and distress."

Last night police and clinicians from the new South Essex Mental Health and Community Care NHS Trust, which took over the former trust in April, visited all the families involved in the investigation to provide information and support.

The Hadleigh nurse was based with the community paediatric team at Southend Hospital's Neptune unit until her suspension. A joint statement to the media confirmed a nurse was being investigated after allegations concerning "the care of patients".

It added: "As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information can be given at this stage."

The nurse, who formerly worked with the paediatric team at St John's Hospital, Chelmsford, before moving to the Southend trust in 1996, is understood to have been a bit of a "loner", although she was popular with the families of terminally-ill children she visited in their own homes.

She is also reported to have worked for a time at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

There was no answer at her home early today. Neighbours knew little about her, other than she lived in the white bungalow and kept herself to herself.

One mother who lived opposite said she saw the woman go out very early in the mornings and come back late at night.

Ian Robertson, who was chairman of the former Southend Community Care Services Trust at the time the nurse was suspended, refused to comment. He said: "I am no longer involved. It is up to the new trust to take the lead."

It is believed Essex detectives investigating the case, visited colleagues who helped convict "Angel of Death" nurse Beverly Allitt in Lincolnshire. She murdered four children and injured nine others in 1991.

Contact has also been made with Greater Manchester officers who investigated Harold Shipman. The 54-year-old GP murdered 15 elderly patients but could be responsible for up to 150 deaths.

HQ - the carer was based with the paediatric team at Southend Hospital, right, and has previously worked at St John's, Chelmsford, left

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