Inquiry Hears NHS Whistleblowers’ Concerns Were Disregarded

The public inquiry investigating the offenses committed by Lucy Letby has been informed that almost one-third of NHS staff who contacted a whistleblowing organization reported that their concerns were disregarded. Consultant paediatricians had previously expressed apprehension that the nurse was intentionally causing harm to infants within the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Letby was reassigned to a non-clinical position in July 2016; however, medical professionals persisted in voicing their objections when hospital executives subsequently intended to reinstate Letby to the unit. Sybille Raphael, the legal director for Protect, stated that NHS personnel perceived raising concerns as “like throwing a pebble in a dark hole,” further remarking: “It’s completely pointless.” The Thirlwall Inquiry, which is investigating Letby’s crimes, had previously been informed that Letby initiated a grievance against her transfer, which was upheld later that year. Nevertheless, the serial killer, who originates from Hereford, never returned to the unit because Cheshire Constabulary was requested in May 2017 to investigate the rising number of infant fatalities there. Tony Chambers, the former chief executive, previously denied before the Thirlwall Inquiry that he had attempted to “ruin the careers” of consultants Dr Ravi Jayaram and Dr Stephen Brearey after they presented their concerns to him. During her testimony to the inquiry, Ms Raphael reported that 31% of healthcare workers from the NHS who contacted the campaign group stated their concerns had been ignored. She elaborated: “Ignored means not even investigated, ignored means no-one has done anything about it.” She added: “It’s like throwing a pebble in a dark hole. It’s completely pointless to raise that issue because no-one took any notice.” She further indicated that 62% of NHS callers to Protect reported being penalized for speaking out. Ms Raphael also stated: “Instead of being thanked for doing what they should do, which is raising a concern, they are being punished for it, they are being victimised.” Ms Raphael mentioned that these figures were “not widely different” from those in other industries, but she proposed that the NHS exhibited a more significant blame culture compared to other sectors. Protect is advocating for the appointment of a whistleblowing commissioner for England and Wales. Ms Raphael commented: “There is nothing in our legal system that actually forces employers to have systems in place.” Letby, aged 34, is currently serving 15 whole-life orders following her conviction for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others, including two attempts on one baby’s life, between June 2015 and June 2016. The inquiry, convening at Liverpool Town Hall, is scheduled to receive evidence until January, with its conclusions anticipated for publication by late autumn.