Lucy Letby’s barrister has criticised the inquiry into events at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The inquiry found earlier safeguarding action could have saved some babies.
The final report from the Thirlwall Inquiry has been published, focusing on events at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2018. The inquiry was established in 2023 following the conviction of Lucy Letby for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the hospital. Led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, the inquiry concluded that some of these infants could have been saved had appropriate safeguarding actions been implemented earlier.
The report's findings have drawn criticism from Mark McDonald, a barrister representing Letby. McDonald characterized the inquiry's conclusions as disappointing, citing the nature of the terms of reference provided by Parliament. According to the barrister, the inquiry operated on the assumption that Letby was guilty, which he argues influenced the overall investigation.
Despite her convictions, Letby, from Hereford, maintains her innocence. She is currently serving 15 life sentences for the crimes and was denied permission to appeal in 2024. Her legal team has since submitted evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which is tasked with investigating potential miscarriages of justice.
The defense team claims that an international panel of experts has argued that poor medical care and natural causes could account for the infants' collapses. McDonald stated that this evidence suggests Letby was not only innocent but that no crimes occurred at all. The CCRC is now expected to consider these claims as part of its review.
In response to the inquiry's findings, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed profound remorse on behalf of the government and the National Health Service (NHS). Acknowledging the clear failures detailed in the report, Cooper emphasized that the safety and care of patients, along with the safeguarding of every individual and respect for affected families, must remain central to NHS values. She affirmed that the government is committed to acting on the report's 17 recommendations, which include stronger management controls, improved insulin storage, and the implementation of CCTV surveillance in care units.
