Lucy Letby public inquiry names hospital bosses as core participants

Nurse Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to kill a further six at the Countess of Chester Hospital

Four former executives at the hospital trust where serial killer Lucy Letby murdered babies have been given formal roles at the inquiry into her crimes.

Tony Chambers, former chief executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital, has been named as a "core participant".

He is joined by former medical director Ian Harvey, former director of nursing Alison Kelly and former HR director Sue Hodkinson.

The Thirlwall Inquiry is due to begin hearing evidence next year.

Letby was sentenced to a whole-life order for each of her offences in October after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others on the neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

Mr Chambers resigned from the Cheshire hospital in 2018, after police launched an investigation into the deaths.

Tony Chambers left the trust in 2018

The inquiry has published a full list of its core participants, which also includes the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the NHS, the Department for Health and Social Care, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Care Quality Commission.

The Thirlwall Inquiry will examine how the nurse was able to murder seven babies and try to kill six others and will also look at how the NHS handled the case and its response to doctors who raised concerns.

Inquiry chairwoman Lady Justice Thirlwall made her first public address in November.

The senior appeal court judge outlined how she intended to conduct the inquiry and confirmed that work was already being carried out to gather evidence.

The inquiry will focus on "three broad areas", first the experiences of all of the parents, secondly the conduct of those working at the hospital, and finally the effectiveness of NHS management and governance structures.

Upon the conclusion of the hearings, Lady Justice Thirlwall will provide a final report to the Health Secretary and will make recommendations as she considers appropriate, the government said.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]