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Clinical Negligence Solicitors

Dismissed Concerns: Lucy Letby^s Case Reveals Hospital Bosses^ Neglect (22 August 2023)

Date: 22/08/2023
Duncan Lewis, Clinical Negligence Solicitors, Dismissed Concerns: Lucy Letby^s Case Reveals Hospital Bosses^ Neglect

Nurse Lucy Letby has been found guilty of murdering seven babies, and attempting to murder another six, under her care between June 2015 and June 2016. These incidents took place on a neonatal ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Letby's reprehensible actions spanning a year have raised urgent concerns about the Hospital's failed duty of care to probe allegations against her.

Lucy Letby, 33, had been sentenced to fourteen whole life orders for murdering seven newborns, and attempting to kill six more, by administering injections of air, milk, or insulin between June 2015 and June 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

In spite of suspicions pointing to Letby's involvement in the infants' deaths, Dr Stephen Breary, the Head Consultant at the Neonatal Unit, revealed that the hospital bosses failed to look into these accusations and even tried to suppress doctors' apprehensions. Instead of contacting the police, hospital bosses asked Consultants to stop emailing in regards to Letby and they were forced to apologise to her.

As the trial unfolded, the jury heard that Dr. Breary first voiced serious concerns about Letby in October 2015. However, no measures were taken, and Letby proceeded with her harmful actions on five more infants, resulting in the death of two more babies.

The hospital's failure to exercise their duty of care and adequately investigate the serious allegations against Letby played a pivotal role in enabling her ongoing harm towards the babies. The case has brought to light a tragic sequence of events which has prompted a deeper examination into the hospitals’ failures. The government has ordered an independent inquiry into why Letby was able to continue working, despite concerns, until June 2016.

So often, patients and families are anxious and apprehensive about questioning the treatment that either they or a loved one receives from their healthcare provider. A good healthcare provider will embrace and do their best to answer any concerns that are raised, which reinforces the duty of candour, and the openness within the NHS are obligated to support. It goes without saying that we trust our doctors and nurses to keep us from harm, but as we have seen with the Lucy Letby case, this trust can be abused.

This woman should never have been permitted access to any patient of any age, but particularly babies who are the most vulnerable of all. The shocking failure of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to heed the warnings of their own clinicians and to contact the Police to investigate each baby death straight away, was a failure of an enormous proportion.

If you or your family has been affected by the Lucy Letby case, or another medical professional has let you down, please do get in touch. The thought of contacting a solicitor can range from daunting to terrifying, but ultimately we are here to listen and to try to help. Your enquiry won’t cost you a thing and it may be the first step in finding out what really happened and what should have happened in relation to care received. Our focus is to protect those who have been let down by the healthcare system and to expose those failures which have affected our clients. Our solicitors are only a phone call away.

About the Author
Renu Daly is a Director in the Clinical Negligence department, based in our City of London office. With over 11 years' solid experience and extensive practice as a clinical negligence and abuse solicitor, Renu has developed a robust practical knowledge of healthcare policies and procedures, and a great understanding of the investigative process.

The Clinical Negligence team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors represents clients nationwide and is viewed as 'excellent' and 'experienced and knowledgeable' by the Legal 500 UK independent legal directory.
If you have been subject to a failing by either the NHS or a private hospital, contact Renu Dalyvia email at RenuD@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 020 7275 2891.


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