Nurses at the hospital where Lucy Letby worked were shocked when she sent an email asking them to be kind to her upon her return after being “fully exonerated” of any wrongdoing. Letby, dubbed the worst child killer in British history, was removed from the neonatal unit at Countess of Chester Hospital in July 2016 following suspicions raised by consultant paediatricians regarding unexplained deaths and collapses of babies under her care.
Despite concerns, an external review later found no evidence of criminality, and Letby’s grievance procedure contesting her removal was upheld. Following this, chief executive Tony Chambers instructed consultants to end discussions about Letby, ordering them to apologise for derogatory remarks such as labelling her the “angel of death” and the “murderer on the unit.”
In her email to colleagues on January 31, 2017, Letby expressed her relief at being cleared of all allegations and requested sensitivity and support upon her return to the unit in the following weeks. The inquiry into Letby’s actions heard that nurses, like Kathryn Percival-Calderbank, were taken aback by the email, not having been informed of the allegations or the ongoing investigation.
Concerns persisted among consultants about Letby’s return to the unit, leading to a delay until Cheshire Police were called in May 2017. The former chief executive of the hospital, Tony Chambers, stepped down after police launched an inquiry into the baby deaths. Letby was eventually convicted in August 2023 for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others between 2015 and 2016 at the hospital.
Following Letby’s guilty verdict, Mr Chambers expressed deep sorrow for the families affected by the tragic events. The inquiry, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is set to conclude in early 2025, with findings expected by late autumn that year. The chilling case of Lucy Letby continues to unravel, shedding light on the complexities and repercussions of her actions within the healthcare setting.
It is indeed a sombre reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in healthcare systems to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The impact of Letby’s actions reverberates through the hospital and beyond, leaving a lasting mark on all those involved.