From the Healthcare category

by Abigail Isaacson in Healthcare

Three senior leaders at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where convicted child serial killer Lucy Letby worked, have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The arrests come amidst ongoing investigations into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the hospital's neonatal unit, and at the Liverpool Women's Hospital where Letby had training placements. The investigation focuses on the actions and inactions of individuals, and also examines the hospital's senior leadership and decision-making in response to the increased number of infant fatalities. Letby, who was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more, is serving a whole-life sentence. However, an international panel of experts has raised questions about the medical evidence presented during her trial, suggesting that the babies' deaths may have resulted from natural causes or inadequate medical care. These concerns have prompted calls for an urgent re-examination of the case and a full public inquiry into failings at the hospital. A public inquiry is scheduled for early 2026. The hospital has declined to comment on the ongoing police investigations and public inquiry.


by Alex Ingram in Healthcare

Three senior leaders at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where convicted child serial killer Lucy Letby worked, have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The arrests follow an ongoing investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the hospital's neonatal unit, and also at the Liverpool Women's Hospital where Letby had training placements. The investigation includes separate inquiries into corporate manslaughter, focusing on senior leadership decisions, and gross negligence manslaughter focusing on individual actions or inactions. All three suspects have been released on bail. These arrests do not affect Letby's convictions for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. However, Letby's convictions have faced criticism from an international panel of experts who questioned the medical evidence presented at trial, suggesting the deaths may have resulted from natural causes or inadequate medical care. Former UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for an urgent reexamination of the case. Letby's lawyer has also called for a full public inquiry into failings at the hospital. A public government inquiry is set for early 2026. The Countess of Chester Hospital declined to comment due to ongoing investigations.