A nurse has been arrested following allegations two colleagues were poisoned with painkillers.

The 60-year-old woman has been suspended from her job at Horsham Hospital and is currently on police bail while officers carry out further investigations.

The allegations involve two incidents involving staff at the hospital in May and July this year.

Sussex Police said the nurse, from Horsham, had been questioned on suspicion of having administered a "pain-relief substance" but would not reveal any further details.

The woman was arrested on July 25 and has been released on bail until the autumn.

Horsham Hospital is a community hospital with a minor injuries unit, X-ray department and outpatient services.

It also has an intermediate care department for patients needing extra support when they come out of hospital and a unit for older people with mental health problems.

West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) which runs the hospital, confirmed that the allegations did not involve patients.

It has launched its own investigation into the incident.

Eileen Clark, the PCT’s interim director of operations, said: “I can confirm that a member of staff has been suspended from working at Horsham Hospital and arrested by Sussex Police.

“We are now working closely with Sussex Police officers to offer them any assistance they require to complete their investigation.

“We cannot offer any further comment on the matter at this time.

“It is important to stress that the police investigation is not concerned with matters of patient safety, or direct patient care.

“Patient safety is of course our highest priority, and so to give us complete reassurance we have also commissioned an external review to satisfy us that patients received the appropriate care at all times.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “A 60-year-old Horsham woman has been arrested for allegedly administering poison with intent to injure, following allegations from two colleagues.

“There were no reports of similar incidents being uncovered during this investigation and there is no suggestion that there was any risk of harm to patients or members of the public.”