NURSE Rebecca Leighton will appear in court today after being charged in connection with the deaths of five patients last night.
The 27 year old could face life in jail if found guilty, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
She has been charged with six counts of causing damage with intent to endanger life or being reckless to whether life is being endangered.
Rebecca has been in police custody since Wednesday morning, being questioned by detectives probing the contamination of saline at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Cops believe that insulin was secretly added a batch of the salt-and-water mix at the hospital.
Suspected victims are Derek Weaver, 84, Tracey Arden, 44, George Keep, 84, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and 84-year-old Vera Pearson, - whose identity was revealed last night.
A man in his 40s linked with the investigation remains "very poorly" in a critical care unit.
Rebecca, of nearby Heaviley, has also been charged with one count of theft of medicine from the hospital.
She will appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "These are serious charges that relate to allegations that Rebecca Leighton tampered with medical products, saline ampoules and saline bags in Stepping Hill Hospital and by doing so endangered the lives of patients."
He added: "This is a complex, ongoing police investigation.
"We will of course review any further evidence they provide to us and decide whether any further charges should be brought."
He said the maximum sentence for criminal damage intending to endanger life or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered is life in jail.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council is to hold a hearing "as quickly as possible" into whether Rebecca should be suspended from their register.
Meanwhile, Chris Burke, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our thoughts are with the families affected by this incident.
"All of the staff here are extremely shocked and appalled by what has happened and we have ensured there is appropriate support available."
By GUY PATRICK
STAFF at Stepping Hill Hospital have been ordered to put patients who die in sealed BODY BAGS under strict new security rules.
The workers were given an "Action Briefing" on how to handle new instances of tampering with medical supplies - and on dealing with deceased patients.
The Sun has obtained a copy of the rules, which also affect cops carrying out their investigation on the wards. One employee said: "There's a real climate of fear here. This way of working is alien to us."
The body bag order was issued by coroner John Pollard, who is reviewing every death since July 7.
It is believed he will assess more than 50 cases and that all future deaths at the hospital will be referred to him until further notice.
Also under the new rules, all IV tubes must be left in place, and two samples must be taken from any dead patient who recently suffered low blood sugar.
Wrist-band name tags must be signed by two nurses, and bodies must not be viewed without a mortuary technician.
Damaged fluid containers must be signed and dated, and fluids showing signs of tampering must be locked in a room and cops called.
All visitors - including police and staff - must sign in and out, and treatment rooms must be locked at all times.
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