- The Thirlwall Inquiry has concluded that some babies could have been saved and further attacks prevented at the Countess of Chester Hospital if hospital leaders had taken earlier safeguarding action regarding nurse Lucy Letby.
- Chairwoman Lady Justice Thirlwall highlighted a complete failure to protect infants, citing dysfunctional management, a prolonged delay in calling the police, and a failure by senior managers to understand that safeguarding applies when deliberate harm is suspected.
- The report revealed that the parents of Letby’s victims were kept in the dark about suspicions until her arrest in July 2018, despite multiple internal and external reviews conducted by hospital leadership.
- Among 14 key recommendations, the inquiry called for baby monitors in all neonatal cots and incubators, CCTV monitoring of insulin storage fridges, and a compulsory individual duty of candour for all NHS managers.
- Lucy Letby is currently serving 15 whole-life terms for the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of seven others, while Cheshire Constabulary continues to investigate potential corporate manslaughter offences.
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