Key facts
- The Thirlwall Inquiry found a "complete failure" to protect babies on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
- Hospital bosses failed in their duty of candour with parents, investigators, and regulators.
- The inquiry found that if safeguarding action had been taken by October 2015, the deaths of babies O and P, and attacks on babies J, K, L, M and N would have been prevented.
- Parents were "kept in the dark for years" over concerns their babies might have been deliberately harmed.
- Health Secretary Yvette Cooper will "urgently develop plans" for live-streaming cameras on England's baby wards.
An independent inquiry into how serial killer Lucy Letby was able to murder babies at the Countess of Chester hospital has delivered its findings, describing a "complete failure" to protect infants from harm. The report, published at Liverpool Town Hall, was launched after Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. Lady Justice Thirlwall, who chaired the inquiry, stated that Letby was "repeatedly untruthful in her dealings with friends and colleagues" and that her "inappropriate and callous nature was noted by patients and colleagues." The inquiry found that earlier safeguarding action could have prevented the deaths and attacks on babies. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to urgently develop proposals for live-streaming cameras on baby wards.