Richard Scorer reflects on the conclusions of the Thirlwall Inquiry & warns against repeating past inaction
In 2023, following a series of collapses and deaths of babies in the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015–16, former nurse Lucy Letby was sentenced to life imprisonment in respect of seven counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. In 2024, Letby was found guilty of a further count of attempted murder.
Following her conviction, a public inquiry was established under the chairmanship of Lady Justice Thirlwall. The focus of this inquiry was the experiences of the parents of the babies named in the criminal indictment against Letby of the hospital and other NHS services; the conduct of those working at the Countess of Chester Hospital with regard to the actions of Letby, including whether the police and other external bodies should have been informed earlier about suspicions of her, and the actions of management in response to suspicions; and the effectiveness of NHS management, governance and accountability generally in keeping babies in hospitals
