Senior judge leading Lucy Letby inquiry issues opening statement, Chester hearings set for next September

The senior judge appointed to chair the Lucy Letby inquiry has issued an opening statement.

The inquiry, set to take place in Chester, will examine the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital following Letby’s trial and conviction.

Letby, 33, a former neonatal nurse, was convicted on 18 August for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others at the hospital between 2015 and 2016. She was sentenced to a whole life prison term.

The inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of the circumstances surrounding the convicted nurse’s tenure and its broader implications on the National Health Service (NHS) and its regulatory bodies.

It will be structured into three distinct parts. Part A will focus on the experiences of the parents of the babies involved.

Part B will scrutinise the conduct of the hospital staff, particularly how Letby could repeatedly harm and kill infants in the neonatal unit.

Part C extends the examination to the wider NHS, probing the relationships between various professional groups, the prevailing culture in hospitals, and their cumulative impact on newborns’ safety.

Lady Justice Thirlwall, who was appointed in September to lead the inquiry, emphasised the need to learn from previous hospital inquiries, such as the Beverly Allitt case, to ensure that such atrocities do not recur.

The inquiry aims to assess past recommendations, their implementation, and the effectiveness of these measures in preventing errors and misconduct in the healthcare sector.

In her opening statement, Justice Thirlwall confirmed when the hearing will start.

She said, “We are working towards a start date in September of 2024.

“There are four other events that we have to work around.

“First, a large police team is still investigating the actions of Lucy Letby.

“Second, the police are also investigating whether there may be a case of corporate manslaughter against the hospital trust.

“My team is in regular contact with Cheshire Police, who keep us informed as to their progress.

“Third, you may be aware that Letby has lodged an application for leave to appeal against her convictions.

“I don’t expect the application to be determined before the spring of 2024. It may be later.

“Fourth, a retrial on a count of attempted murder is listed to take place at the end of June 2024.

“If all of those dates hold, there is no realistic prospect of hearing evidence in the inquiry until the Autumn.

“And that’s why we are working towards hearings in September.

Lady Justice Thirlwall said a wide-ranging and detailed questionnaire has been sent to every hospital in England with a neonatal unit.

“It is to be completed by both the medical director and a senior non-clinical manager at each hospital.”

“It includes questions about whether there is CCTV on neonatal units and if not, whether consideration has been given to installing it in the light of the Letby case.”

“Those particular questions arise from suggestions made by some of the parents, and I’m grateful for their help on this and so many other matters.”

She said: “A short survey is to be sent to all midwives, doctors, nurses, and managers in hospitals with neonatal units. Responses will be anonymous. It will ask directly for their views on the culture in their units.”

“I hope and expect that those who receive it will find the few minutes needed to complete it. Each response will play an important part in telling the inquiry what people on the ground really think.”

Lady Justice Thirlwall said the parents of the babies who were murdered or suffered injuries, some lifelong, “live with the consequences every day.”

“On top of their grievous loss, they endured years of uncertainty about what had caused death or injury and for some, uncertainty remains.”

“All have made it plain to me that they want to do all they can to make sure that no one else suffers as they do.”

“I will do all I can to make sure that no one else suffers as they have. It is unconscionable that this situation would ever occur again.”

Full statement can be viewed below