The Thirlwall Report, published today after a 17-month inquiry, will attempt to answer how Lucy Letby was able to murder seven babies and attempt to murder seven more while working as a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The final report, based on evidence gathered and heard during the inquiry held at Liverpool Town Hall, will try to provide answers about the failures that allowed Letby to carry out the attacks while working at the Chester hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.
Inquiry Led by Lady Justice Thirlwall
Led by Lady Justice Kathryn Thirlwall, the inquiry was set up to examine events at the Countess of Chester during the time Letby worked there and to examine their implications following the ex-neonatal nurse's trial and subsequent convictions.
Letby was sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. She is currently serving 15 whole-life prison terms and has had attempts to appeal those convictions turned down. She is in the process of channelling those convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
While debate continues about the safety of those convictions, and Letby's team have appealed, they remain in place. Today's Thirlwall Inquiry will not shed any new light on those convictions. Lady Justice Thirlwall has approached the inquiry and report on the basis that Letby is guilty of the crimes for which she has been convicted, and has insisted that her role is not about reviewing them.
Key Questions and Recommendations
The biggest question the report may answer is whether earlier actions could have saved the lives of any of the babies Letby murdered or prevented others from being harmed. The evidence heard raised concerns about whether senior figures at the hospital should have been more alert and proactive regarding ongoing dangers after three babies died in a short period in the summer of 2015.
Today's report will conclude what mistakes or failings occurred during that time and what could have been done differently to stop Letby sooner. It is also expected to include recommendations to prevent anything as horrific as what happened at the Countess of Chester ever happening again within the NHS.
Ongoing Criminal Investigation
The inquiry was initially expected to publish its final report by November last year, but there have been multiple delays. A criminal investigation into three hospital executives who worked at the hospital during the time Letby carried out her crimes continues. All three were previously arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, with one subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
