A long-awaited inquiry has found that three babies may have survived if hospital managers had acted on concerns raised about nurse Lucy Letby, with the judge describing a 'complete failure' to invoke safeguarding procedures.
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Key facts
- The Thirlwall inquiry found three babies may have survived if the hospital had acted over concerns raised.
- Lady Justice Thirlwall described a 'complete failure at all levels' to invoke safeguarding procedures.
- Senior managers were criticised for a 'prolonged delay' in calling the police, who were contacted in May 2017.
- The inquiry found parents were kept in the dark as the hospital hid suspicions during secret reviews.
The long-awaited Thirlwall inquiry into the case of nurse Lucy Letby has concluded that three babies may have survived if the hospital had acted on concerns that were raised, according to findings published on Monday.
Lady Justice Thirlwall, who chaired the inquiry, said that senior nurses at the hospital refused to accept that the consultant’s concerns could be justified. She criticised what she called the ‘prolonged delay by senior managers in calling the police.’
The police were eventually contacted in May 2017, around a year after the death of a baby referred to as baby P in June 2016. This delay came despite the fact that Letby had already been removed from the neonatal unit.
The inquiry identified what the judge described as a ‘complete failure at all levels’ to invoke safeguarding procedures at any point. Thirlwall said that looking for clinical or other explanations for the deaths and collapses was not wrong in itself, but that once there was suspicion Letby may be causing harm deliberately, safeguarding steps should have been taken.
According to Al Jazeera, the inquiry found that parents were kept in the dark as the hospital hid its suspicions about Letby during secret reviews, blaming the institution for a ‘complete failure’ to protect the babies in its care.
The findings place significant scrutiny on the decisions made by hospital management during the period when concerns were being raised about the nurse.
Why it matters
The inquiry's conclusion that babies may have survived had the hospital acted sooner raises serious questions about how safeguarding concerns are handled within health institutions. Its findings on delays, secrecy and failures to alert police could shape how similar suspicions are managed in future.
Frequently asked questions
How many babies may have survived according to the inquiry?
The Thirlwall inquiry found that three babies may have survived if the hospital had acted over concerns raised about Lucy Letby.
When were the police contacted?
The police were eventually contacted in May 2017, around a year after the death of a baby referred to as baby P in June 2016, and after Letby had already been removed from the neonatal unit.
What did the inquiry say about parents?
According to Al Jazeera, the inquiry found that parents were kept in the dark as the hospital hid its suspicions about Letby during secret reviews.
Timeline
- Lucy Letby inquiry blames hospital for ‘complete failure’ to protect babies
Al Jazeera: Inquiry finds parents were kept in the dark as hospital hid Lucy Letby suspicions during secret reviews.
- Lucy Letby inquiry blames UK hospital for failure to protect babies
Al Jazeera: Inquiry finds parents were kept in the dark as hospital hid Lucy Letby suspicions during secret reviews.
- Lucy Letby inquiry finds some babies could have been saved as judge describes ‘complete failure’ in safeguarding – latest updates
The Guardian World: Long-awaited Thrilwall inquiry finds three babies may have survived if hospital had acted over concerns raised Three babies may have survived if hospital had acted over Lucy Letby concerns, inquiry finds Lady Justice Thirlwall said that senior nurses at the hospital refused to ac