The investigation into the heinous crimes committed by serial killer nurse Lucy Letby will be led by one of the country’s most senior judges, according to Health Secretary Steve Barclay. Lady Justice Thirlwall, a highly experienced senior judge and former senior barrister, has been appointed to oversee the inquiry. This inquiry will possess legal authority to compel witnesses, including current and former staff members of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where Letby carried out her murders.
Letby, aged 33, was recently sentenced to a whole-life term for the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of six more. In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr. Barclay emphasized that the inquiry’s scope would extend beyond Letby’s actions to encompass broader aspects, such as the hospital trust’s response to concerns raised by clinicians and the conduct of the wider NHS and its regulatory bodies.
Mr. Barclay highlighted Lady Justice Thirlwall’s extensive judicial experience and mentioned ongoing discussions with the families of the victims to shape the inquiry’s terms of reference. He emphasized the families’ desire for the inquiry to proceed in phases to provide prompt answers to critical questions.
The Health Secretary acknowledged the gravity of Letby’s crimes and expressed hope that Lady Justice Thirlwall’s inquiry would provide the victims’ families with the answers they seek. He also noted a reconsideration of recommendations to disbar senior managers for serious misconduct, emphasizing the need for standards, support, and training within NHS boards to ensure the public’s confidence in safe and quality healthcare.
The background to Letby’s crimes involved a surge in babies experiencing severe and unexpected collapses at the hospital in 2015 and 2016. Concerns about Letby were raised by consultants to hospital management after multiple unexplained collapses occurred while she was on duty. However, she was not removed from her position until after the tragic deaths of two triplet boys and another baby boy’s collapse over three consecutive days in June 2016.
Letby was temporarily reassigned to clerical work but later resolved a grievance procedure in her favor, with plans for her return to the unit. This did not materialize as police were contacted by the hospital trust.
Representatives of the victims’ families stressed the importance of their involvement in shaping the inquiry’s terms of reference, particularly regarding the hospital trust’s response to the clinicians who raised concerns about Letby. They expressed hope for transparency, cooperation, and accountability from the trust during the inquiry process.
