A public inquiry into the actions of serial killer nurse Lucy Letby at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital has heard from senior consultant paediatrician Dr John Gibbs, who expressed deep regret and shame for failing to protect the babies under his care from harm caused by Letby. Dr. Gibbs, who has since retired, apologised to the parents of Letby’s 14 victims at the Thirlwall Inquiry. He acknowledged that he and his colleagues should have raised concerns with authorities back in early 2016, before Letby went on to commit further crimes.
Dr. Gibbs revealed that concerns were raised following the deaths of several infants, with Letby’s name being a common factor in these incidents. Despite suspicions being raised, there was no immediate action taken to address the possibility of deliberate harm being caused. It wasn’t until later, after additional deaths and incidents, that the true extent of Letby’s actions started to become apparent to the medical team.
The inquiry also heard about occasions where suspicions were dismissed, causing delays in taking appropriate action. Dr. Gibbs mentioned instances where concerns were downplayed by senior nurses, leading to a reluctance to involve the authorities. Despite repeated deaths and concerns raised by the consultant team, it took significant time before police were finally brought in to investigate the escalating mortality rate at the hospital.
Lucy Letby, who was found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, remains at the centre of the inquiry. The inquiry is expected to continue until early next year, with findings anticipated to be published by late autumn in 2025.
The revelations at the inquiry shed light on the challenges faced by medical professionals in recognising and addressing potential harm to patients. The testimonies underscore the importance of swift and decisive action in protecting vulnerable individuals under medical care.