Ex-Police Chief: Hospital Leaders ‘Shut Down’ Letby Concerns

A retired police chief informed a public inquiry that hospital management “shut down” concerns raised by senior medical staff regarding Lucy Letby’s potential involvement in the murders of infants on a neonatal unit. Former Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Wenham commended the consultant paediatricians at the Countess of Chester Hospital for their courage in raising alarms about the nurse who was later identified as a serial killer. In July 2016, Letby was reassigned to administrative responsibilities following the consecutive deaths of two triplet boys. Cheshire Police were not contacted by the hospital until May 2017, despite prior intentions to reinstate Letby to her position on the unit. The public inquiry, presided over by High Court judge Lady Justice Thirlwall, is currently investigating the events and conditions related to Letby’s offenses. Mr. Wenham, a member of the Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), stated that he only became aware in March 2017 of the rise in infant fatalities on the unit over the preceding two-year period. The inquiry heard that he participated in a CDOP meeting at the hospital in late April 2017, alongside paediatricians and executives, where these concerns were presented. During that meeting, Consultant Dr. Ravi Jayaram was recorded as having remarked: “Particular nurse moved off nights[…] and then no incidents on nights.” Conversely, medical director Ian Harvey was noted to have commented: “Nurse full time, overtime, allocated sick and poorly babies” and “very hot unit, staff working under pressure”. Rachel Langdale KC, counsel for the inquiry, inquired: “What was the impression you got from that meeting, did you appreciate the width of opinions?” Mr. Wenham responded: “Maybe the executive team were a bit more satisfied things were being managed, whereas some of the doctors present were clearly concerned.” The inquiry was informed that Mr. Wenham perceived executives as “attempting to shut doors on the investigation as it was being considered”. He recounted a “powerful meeting” held on May 15, 2017, with consultants Dr. Jayaram, Dr. Stephen Brearey, and Dr. Susie Holt. He stated: “They had some degree of frustration in the way they felt this situation had been reached.” He added: “A lot of the doctors involved did raise concerns repeatedly but, sadly, they were shut down.” Letby, a 34-year-old from Hereford, is currently serving 15 whole-life orders following her conviction at Manchester Crown Court for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others, including two attempts on a single victim, which occurred between June 2015 and June 2016. The inquiry, convening at Liverpool Town Hall, is anticipated to continue hearing testimony until early next year, with its conclusions slated for publication by the subsequent autumn.