Lucy Letby inquiry asks every neonatal unit in England about installing CCTV while doctors, midwives and nurses are quizzed about hospital ‘culture’

• Probe to examine how Letby was able to kill several babies at Chester hospital
• READ MORE: The senior judge leading the inquiry into the serial killer nurse

Every neonatal unit in England is being asked whether they have considered installing CCTV by the public inquiry examining serial killer nurse Lucy Letby’s crimes, it emerged today.

Doctors, midwives and nurses are also being quizzed about the ‘culture’ at their hospital as part of a pledge by one of the country’s most senior judges to parents of the babies she killed and harmed that ‘no one else suffers as they have’.

Referring to the case of ‘Angel of Death’ Beverley Allitt – who was jailed in 1993 for murdering four children in her care – Lady Justice Thirlwall said it was ‘utterly unacceptable’ that it had ‘happened again’.

Letby, 33, of Hereford, was sentenced to 14 whole life orders in August after she was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others.

The offences took place at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

Lucy Letby is serving 14 life sentences after she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others

The inquiry will assess how Letby was free to repeatedly harm and kill infants on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester hospital (pictured)

Hearings will not start until next September because Letby (pictured in her police mugshot) faces a retrial on an attempted murder charge concerning a baby 

One of the country’s most senior judges, Lady Justice Thirlwall, is leading the public inquiry into Letby’s killing spree.

However hearings – due to take place in Chester – are not scheduled to start until September next year as Letby faces a retrial on an attempted murder charge relating to one baby.

READ MORE: Lucy Letby inquiry will investigate hospital nurses, midwives, doctors, managers and board members and will probe wider NHS culture as 30 questions it will seek to answer are revealed 

She is also seeking permission to appeal against her convictions, while police are carrying out a corporate manslaughter investigation into the hospital.

Today the Appeal Court judge said the query about CCTV – suggested by some of the parents of babies harmed by Letby – had been included in a wide-ranging and detailed questionnaire.

A short survey has also been sent to all neonatal midwives, doctors, nurses and managers to ask directly their views on the culture in their units.

Lady Justice Thirlwall said: ‘We all know that there have been many inquiries into events in hospitals and other health care settings over the last 30 years.

‘The case of Beverley Allitt who murdered babies at Grantham Hospital in the 1990s comes to mind.

‘Everyone was determined that it would not happen again.

‘It has happened again. This is utterly unacceptable.’

She plans to examine what recommendations were made in previous inquiries, whether they were implemented and what actual difference did they make.

‘No one can argue with the proposition that babies in neonatal units must be kept safe and well cared for,’ the inquiry chair added.

‘What is needed is the practical application of that proposition everywhere.

‘In many units it will require profound changes in relationships and culture. This may not be easy to achieve but it is necessary and long overdue.

‘Bringing about necessary change will require the cooperation and will of all those who are involved in and who are responsible for the babies in our neonatal units – from the ward to the boardroom.’

She said parents of babies killed or injured by Letby had ‘made it plain to me that they want to do all they can to make sure that no one else suffers as they do’.

‘With the help of the inquiry team and all those who will contribute to the inquiry I 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.’

The inquiry is being led by Lady Justice Thirwall (pictured giving her first public address as chair of the inquiry on November 22)

Lady Justice Thirwall referenced the case of ‘Angel of Death’ Beverley Allitt, who murdered babies at Grantham Hospital in the 1990s, in her opening remarks

The inquiry will cover three broad areas.

Firstly, the experiences of the parents of the 17 babies who featured in the 10-month trial that Letby faced at Manchester Crown Court.

Secondly, the conduct of those working at the Countess of Chester and how Letby was able repeatedly to kill and harm babies on the neonatal unit.

READ MORE: Lucy Letby police launch probe into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital after murder trial 

Thirdly, a focus on the wider NHS in examining relationships between the various groups of professionals, the culture within our hospitals and how these affect the safety of newborns in neonatal units.

As a statutory inquiry, it will have powers to compel witnesses to give evidence.

Lady Justice Thirlwall will provide a final report with recommendations to the Health Secretary.

In response, lawyer Richard Scorer, of Slater and Gordon, who acts for three families whose children were victims of Letby, said: ‘This inquiry is essential to ensure that no other parents and children have to suffer the horrific experiences our clients went through.

‘We welcome the terms of reference which include matters raised by families in the consultation.

‘We applaud the chair’s intention to examine the failure to implement the recommendations of previous inquiries.

‘The failure to implement recommendations is a chronic problem with Public Inquiries in this country and cannot happen again.

‘The most important issue for our clients is failings by management in their response to the emerging evidence of Letby’s crimes.

‘This needs to be investigated thoroughly and we are sure that the Chair is determined to do this.

‘This Inquiry needs to draw a line under cover up and reputational protection and ensure that in the future, problems are addressed transparently and honestly.

‘We welcome the start of this Inquiry and hope that as well as providing answers for our families, it can become a landmark in patient protection and safety in the NHS.’

Allitt, now 54, was handed a minimum 30 years in 1993 for murdering four children, trying to murder three more and attacking six others at Grantham and Kesteven Hospital, Lincolnshire.

She is currently seeking to be moved from a secure hospital to a mainstream prison ahead of a reported possible parole bid.

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