Former Hospital Chief Executive Denies Impeding Letby Police Inquiry

The individual who previously served as chief executive at the hospital where Lucy Letby committed acts of violence resulting in the deaths of infants has rejected accusations of “stalling” the police inquiry into her offenses. Tony Chambers held the leadership position at the Countess of Chester Hospital from June 2015 to June 2016, a period during which Letby murdered seven infants and attempted to murder an additional seven. Cheshire Police were ultimately summoned to conduct an investigation in May 2017, following pressure exerted by consultants on the hospital’s senior executives. During his testimony at the public inquiry examining the details surrounding Letby’s crimes, Mr Chambers stated his belief that he had not “obstructed” the police investigation nor had he “sought to ruin the careers” of the medical professionals who harbored suspicions about her. The Thirlwall Inquiry, convened at Liverpool Town Hall, learned that Mr Chambers was initially informed in June 2016 that senior paediatric consultants within the neonatal unit suspected Letby of harming infants. Testifying for a second day, he affirmed that he “accepted they were experts” but contended that they had not provided definitive evidence to support their “gut feelings.” He refuted allegations of subsequently attempting to jeopardize their professional standing by threatening to report them to the General Medical Council (GMC) regulatory body if they failed to withdraw their accusations against Letby and “move on.” Richard Baker KC, a barrister acting on behalf of some of the families of Letby’s victims, presented the inquiry with a document from a meeting conducted at Cheshire Police headquarters on 12 May 2017. The document indicated that Mr Chambers informed senior officers that “it was felt that the explanations of what has happened do not lie in a single place or cause, and certainly not criminal.” Mr Baker asserted: “You are misleading the Cheshire Constabulary, suggesting to them this matter has been fully investigated.” Mr Chambers responded: “I think I am representing what our thoughts were at the time.” The inquiry was informed that the note additionally documented Mr Chambers stating to the police that “it will become a wider GMC issue” and mentioning the consultants “blocking the ability to move forward which creates a more difficult and dangerous environment for sick babies.” A separate note, originating from a meeting between Mr Chambers and the hospital’s head of human resources, Sue Hodkinson, concerning the consultants, cited “referrals to the GMC” and an “action plan to manage out.” Mr Chambers refuted the idea that these notes indicated an intention to “potentially ruin the careers” of the consultants. Mr Baker stated: “I suggest this shows a clear insight into your character – that you were putting pressure on whistleblowers contrary to the hospital’s own patient safety and you were planning to have them disciplined, and moved on if they didn’t accept it.” Mr Chambers responded: “That’s not the interpretation of this or my character. “My character is such that we always had a focus on patients’ safety and the wellbeing of our staff.” Mr Baker concluded his interrogation of Mr Chambers by proposing: “You sought at every stage to stall and obstruct the police being called or this being made public, and ultimately sought to ruin the careers of the consultants who brought this to your attention. “Now that is utterly reprehensible behaviour and unfitting of a CEO in the NHS isn’t it?”” Mr Chambers replied: “Had that been what I had done it would be. “But I think it’s an outrageous statement and I do not believe that it represents my actions.” Letby is currently serving 15 whole life sentences in prison, having been found guilty of seven counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder, which included two attempts on the same victim. The inquiry is scheduled to continue its sessions into early 2025. For further content, listeners can access BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and engage with BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas may also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.