AN EXTERNAL review into the actions of killer nurse Benjamin Geen is expected to be completed by September.

Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority has asked independent clinical and managerial experts to look into how the 25-year-old casualty nurse at the Horton Hospital in Banbury was able to murder two of his patients and cause serious harm to another 15.

Geen, who is now serving 17 life sentences and faces at least 30 years in prison, used a range of anaesthetic and muscle relaxant drugs to stop his victims breathing, so he could enjoy saving their lives.

An authority board meeting was told that the review was not likely to be completed until September, and that families of the victims and survivors would be told of the findings before they were made public.

Jan Grant, associate director of nursing, told board members in a written update: "The case of Benjamin Geen shocked patients and staff across this health economy, as it is inconceivable that a trusted member of the healthcare profession would deliberately harm patients to bask in the glory of resuscitating them.

"The vigilance of staff and their prompt reactions in noting the pattern of increased respiratory arrests was commended by Thames Valley Police.

"However, the level of distress to patients, next of kin and staff provoked by his actions should not be underestimated."

Following the completion of the review, it is expected that Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust will share the conclusions with other NHS organisations across the country.