Staff at the hospital where killer nurse Lucy Letby worked could face prosecution as police widen their investigation.
Last night (13 March) Cheshire Constabulary announced that an undisclosed number of staff who'd worked at Countess of Chester Hospital at the same time as Letby were being investigated for potential gross negligence manslaughter.
Police had previously been investigating the hospital for corporate manslaughter after Letby's 2023 conviction, which saw the 35-year-old given 15 whole-life sentences for the killing seven infants between June 2015 and June 2016. She was also found guilty of attempted murder on a further seven babies, including two attempts to kill one infant.
"Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital," Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes explained in the update.
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"As our enquiries have continued, the scope of the investigation has now widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter."
According to guidelines from the Crown Prosecution Service, corporate manslaughter looks at whether or not an organisation, though gross negligence or a breach of duty of care, had led to a person's death.
Meanwhile gross negligence manslaughter refers to death as 'a result of a grossly negligent (though otherwise lawful) act or omission' by an individual. The charge includes death following treatment or medical care from heath professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and ambulance personnel.
Det Supt Hughes went on to explain that the gross negligence manslaughter charges were a 'separate offence' to the corporate manslaughter investigation and focused on the 'grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals'.
No arrests or charges have been made as of yet, however the individuals of interest have been notified.
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"We will not be confirming the number of people involved or their identity as no arrests or charges have yet been made," he added.
"Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing.
"Our priority is to maintain the integrity of our ongoing investigations and to support the many families who are at the heart of these."
The update also stressed that the ongoing investigation would not have any impact on Letby's convictions, with the former nurse later being found guilty of trying to kill an 'extremely premature' baby in July 2024.
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She was also interviewed by police officers over further investigations into alleged baby deaths at a separate hospital at the end of last year.
Despite multiple convictions, Letby maintains that her innocence, her legal team are currently seeking to challenge the rulings made against Letby in 2023 and 2024 after bombshell claims from a panel of international health experts alleged there was 'no medical evidence' to support her convictions.
The update coincides with the closing submissions of the Thirlwall Inquiry, a public investigation into Letby and Countess of Chester Hospital, which are expected on 17 March. Findings from the inquiry are expected to be released in autumn (via Sky News).
When asked to comment on the police statement, Countess of Chester Hospital told PA: "Due to the Thirlwall Inquiry and the ongoing police investigations, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
Topics: Lucy Letby, UK News, Health, Crime
Brenna Cooper