Lucy Letby: Public inquiry to examine 30 key questions

Lucy Letby was jailed for life for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of a further six

The public inquiry into Lucy Letby's crimes will focus on "three broad areas" and ask 30 key questions.

The probe, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, will examine how the nurse was able to murder seven babies and try to kill six others.

It will also look at how the NHS handled the case and its response to doctors who raised concerns.

It will be a statutory inquiry so will have powers to compel witnesses to give evidence.

Letby, 33, was given multiple whole life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016, meaning she will spend the rest of her life in prison.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who set up the inquiry, called her crimes "some of the very worst the UK has witnessed".

The government has published the inquiry's terms of reference.

It stated that there would be three broad areas of focus, first the experiences of all of the parents of the babies named in the indictment.

It would secondly look at the conduct of those working at the Countess of Chester Hospital, including the board, managers, doctors, nurses and midwives with regard to the actions of Letby while she was employed there.

It will finally consider the effectiveness of NHS management and governance structures and processes, external scrutiny and professional regulation in keeping babies in hospital safe and well looked after, and whether changes are necessary.

Inside the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital

Sitting underneath those three broad areas, will be 30 key questions that Lady Justice Thirlwall will be asking.

The questions range from the specific, such as "what were the parents of each child told about the likely cause of death or injuries? When and by whom?" and "when were the parents of each child told that Letby was suspected of causing the death or injury to their child?".

There are also broader questions about the hospital's procedures, such as "did the relationship between clinicians and managers, nurses, midwives and managers and between medical professionals at the Countess of Chester Hospital contribute to any failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit from the actions of Letby?"

The inquiry will further ask wider questions about NHS culture, such as "would any concerns with the conduct of the board, managers, doctors, nurses and midwives at the Countess of Chester Hospital have been addressed through changes in NHS culture, management and governance structures and professional regulation?"

The order in which the issues are to be considered has not yet been decided.

But the government has said the "priority is to conduct a thorough inquiry as swiftly as possible".

The length and timing of the hearings and where they take place will depend on the extent and nature of the live evidence that is required and upon the actions of the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

Upon the conclusion of the hearings, Lady Justice Thirlwall will provide a final report to the Health Secretary as soon as is practically possible.

She will make recommendations as she considers appropriate, the government has said.

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