Lucy Letby inquiry to begin in Liverpool

An inquiry looking at events surrounding the Countess of Chester Hospital while killed nurse Lucy Letby worked there is set to begin in Liverpool.

Letby was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others, with two attempts on one child, when she worked on the neonatal unit at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.

She is serving 15 whole-life orders - making her only the fourth woman in UK history to be told she will never be released from prison.

The Thirwell Inquiry will look at the conduct of those at the hospital, including senior management and doctors, as well as the culture across the NHS.

The families of Letby's victims will be among those to give evidence.

Work has already begun, examining evidence and the timeline surrounding Letby's actions at the hospital.

In a recorded address marking the start of the Inquiry’s work, Lady Justice Thirlwall said:

“The parents of the babies who were murdered or suffered injuries, some life-long, live with the consequences every day.

"On top of their grievous loss, they endured years of uncertainty about what had caused death or injury.

"For some, uncertainty remains.

“All have made it plain to me that they want to do all they can to make sure no one else suffers as they do. I, too, with the help of the inquiry team and many others, 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.”

Announcing the inquiry, then health secretary Steve Barclay said: "The crimes Lucy Letby committed are some of the very worst the United Kingdom has witnessed."

"I know that nothing can come close to righting the wrongs of the past, but I hope that Lady Justice Thirlwall’s inquiry will go at least some way towards giving the victims’ families the answers they deserve."

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