Police investigate medical practice.

A medical practice in Alderney in The Channel Islands is being investigated by Guernsey police after the deaths of four patients

Eagle Medical Practice, Ollivier Street, St Anne's, is run by Dr Rory Lyons who has been suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

The medical practice is one of two in the island. There are only four doctors in Alderney.

Guernsey police chief, Patrick Rice, said: "It is likely medical records will be seized. No one has been arrested. Concerns were raised with the Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) following the death of a patient who had been under the care of Eagle Medical Practice. A preliminary internal investigation found three further deaths of concern were identified before it was referred to police."

Officers carried out raids on the surgery and a home in Alderney. Ten Guernsey police officers carried out searches. Items, including documents, have been removed from the surgery, which is understood to have about 500 patients.

Chief officer of the HSSD, Dr Carol Tozer, said: "Following our internal investigation, a doctor was excluded from treating patients at the Mignot Memorial Hospital and the General Medical Council was informed.

"The GMC was also notified that this matter is now the subject of a police investigation. The GMC has confirmed that the doctor's practice is already under restrictions and he is being investigated."

She said senior staff from HSSD, the investigating authority for complaints involving its staff or incidents in its facilities, had been sent to Alderney to provide information and advice to concerned patients. GP practices in Alderney are privately-run businesses.