Inquiry blasts hospital for failure to protect babies after nurse Lucy Letby convicted of 7 murders

Lady Justice Thirlwall's report on the Lucy Letby inquiry revealed a "complete failure" to protect infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The report, published in Liverpool Town Hall, detailed dysfunctional management and governance, a gulf between hospital leadership and clinicians, and failures in understanding safeguarding principles. Key findings indicated that three babies could have been saved if managers had acted sooner by calling police. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper responded to the inquiry's recommendations by tasking officials with developing plans for video baby monitors in neonatal units across the country. The report also highlighted missed opportunities and inadequate responses following early deaths and near-misses involving infants, suggesting that timely safeguarding action could have prevented further harm. Additionally, the report criticized former medical director Ian Harvey, director of nursing Alison Kelly, and chief executive Tony Chambers for their roles in these failures. Lucy Letby continues to protest her innocence despite being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016.