Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse, has recently found herself back in the spotlight as Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that she has been interviewed by police while imprisoned. This police inquiry is part of an ongoing investigation into additional infant fatalities at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Letby infamously became a subject of national attention after she was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others during her tenure at the Countess of Chester from 2015 to 2016. Following her conviction at Manchester Crown Court last year, she has been serving multiple life sentences, with 15 whole-life orders imposed. During the ongoing police investigation, officers probed her prior involvement with Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where she was employed for 30 shifts over two placements between 2012 and 2015. Despite being previously unchallenged regarding the Liverpool facility, her work there is now under scrutiny due to troubling reports of complications and infant collapses.
Cheshire police revealed that investigations into Letby emerged following reporting from the media, particularly the Daily Mail. They have cautioned that more details regarding this inquiry will be disclosed “at the appropriate time.” The police’s renewed interest comes amid reviews of her complete career, necessitating an extensive examination of over 4,000 neonatal admissions in units where she worked.
Notably, in an October investigative report by BBC Panorama, data suggested that potentially life-threatening incidents occurred during nearly a third of Letby’s shifts at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Alarmingly, one particularly poignant incident in November 2012 involved a baby boy who collapsed, with water surprisingly found in his breathing tube—an abnormal occurrence that raised immediate red flags. Moreover, it was uncovered that evidence might suggest another infant, while under her care at the Countess of Chester, was poisoned with insulin, although this incident was not included in her initial trial.
Presently, the severe implications of the Letby case on the National Health Service (NHS) are being examined through the Thirlwall Inquiry, which has heard testimonies from the lead pediatric consultant at the Countess of Chester, Dr. Stephen Breary. He expressed a somber reflection on the matter, asserting that it is plausible Letby did not begin her unethical actions in 2015, implying that suspicions may have been evident much earlier.
The inquiry has also revealed troubling patterns, with a barrister representing the families of twelve babies indicating that Liverpool Women’s Hospital undertook its own audit concerning Letby’s shifts. Remarkably, during these audits, it was shown that dislodged breathing tubes occurred at a concerning rate. Specifically, during her shifts, this incident happened in about 40% of cases, whereas typically, it occurs in less than 1%.
However, the narrative surrounding Letby’s case is complex and contentious. There has been notable debate regarding the scientific and medical evidence that led to her convictions, with several experts openly challenging the accuracy of the findings against her. Letby now has a new legal team, expressing dissent towards the interpretation of new evidence related to her case, and they plan to submit an appeal to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in hopes of returning the case to the Court of Appeal.
This high-profile case continues to unravel, as even the NHS leadership acknowledges past errors. Sir Duncan Nichol, former chairman, admitted to a significant oversight by not including concerned doctors in critical discussions regarding Letby. His admission reflects broader concerns regarding institutional accountability and responsiveness within the healthcare system, highlighting the complexity of a case that has been reaching into the depths of medical practice and ethical standards within neonatal care.
