Lucy Letby, a former nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has been convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others between 2015 and 2016. This shocking case has left the public grappling with the idea of a seemingly caring professional being capable of such heinous crimes. The Thirlwall Inquiry is currently examining how these tragic deaths could have been prevented, shedding light on the complexities of identifying and stopping a serial killer hidden in plain sight.
The Barrister representing the families of the victims, Richard Baker KC, addressed the public’s struggle to believe Letby as a killer, stating that “we prefer our monsters to look like monsters.” He emphasized that evil can often be banal, lurking beneath the surface of individuals who may appear normal or caring on the outside. Baker urged people not to be naive and to recognize that serial killers can operate discreetly, blending into their surroundings without raising suspicion.
Peter Skelton KC, representing the parents of the affected children, also spoke out against the speculation of a miscarriage of justice in Letby’s case. He emphasized that Letby was convicted based on factual and expert medical evidence, not questionable statistics. Skelton highlighted the importance of examining why suspicions about Letby were not acted upon sooner, urging the focus to be on preventing similar tragedies in the future.
The inquiry revealed concerns about Letby’s time at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where she worked prior to her tenure at the Countess of Chester Hospital. An audit showed a high rate of dislodgement of breathing tubes during Letby’s shifts, raising questions about her actions during that time. Cheshire Police is also investigating potential harm to babies at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, further adding to the scrutiny surrounding Letby’s past actions.
Internal investigations at the Countess of Chester Hospital were hindered by a reluctance to “think the unthinkable,” according to Andrew Kennedy KC, who represents the hospital. The hospital’s executives failed to give appropriate weight to concerns raised about Letby by pediatricians, leading to delays in addressing the rising death rates on the neonatal ward. Kennedy emphasized the need to consider the realities of medical practice in a busy hospital setting, where identifying deliberate harm by healthcare staff can be challenging.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accepted fault for not suspending Letby’s registration sooner after her arrest in 2018. The NMC waited until Letby was charged in November 2020 to bring in an interim suspension order, highlighting a need for more proactive measures in such cases. The inquiry also heard criticism of consultants for not informing authorities about their suspicions regarding Letby’s actions, underscoring missed opportunities to prevent further harm to infants under her care.
As the inquiry progresses, it aims to uncover the systemic failures that allowed Letby’s crimes to go undetected for so long. The families of the victims seek to ensure that their experiences are not repeated, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes and taking decisive action to protect vulnerable individuals in healthcare settings. The public’s struggle to reconcile the image of a caring nurse with that of a serial killer serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of human nature and the need for vigilance in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.
