Lucy Letby: Families' solicitor blames hospital bosses for police delay
A solicitor representing families affected by Lucy Letby's crimes has blamed Countess of Chester Hospital executives for the delay in reporting concerns to the police. The Thirlwall Inquiry report highlights a culture of bullying and a failure of candor among hospital leadership during the period of the murders.
Why it matters
The findings underscore critical failures in institutional accountability and patient safety oversight within the UK's National Health Service.
Image caption, Tamlin Bolton represents seven of the families affected by Lucy Letby's crimes.
A solicitor representing seven of the families affected by Lucy Letby's crimes has said responsibility for the delay in contacting the police "lies squarely" with hospital executives.
On Tuesday, the Thirlwall Inquiry report revealed bosses at the Countess of Chester Hospital repeatedly failed in their duty of candour to parents, investigators and regulators.
Tamlin Bolton said each of the 1,100 pages of Lady Justice Thirlwall's findings contained "another opportunity where action could have been taken".
In a statement, former hospital executives named in the report said they were reviewing its findings and recommendations, but could not comment further while investigations remained under way.
Lucy Letby, 36, is serving 15 whole-life prison terms for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of seven others, including one baby whom she tried to murder twice.
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