Every hospital with a neonatal unit in England has been asked whether it has considered installing CCTV by the inquiry into the killing spree carried out by Lucy Letby.
The 33-year-old nurse from Hereford was convicted in August of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others, with two attempts on one of her victims.
Letby was sentenced to 14 whole-life orders – meaning she will never be released from prison.
CCTV was not installed at the Countess Of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit when Letby’s offences took place. between June 2015 and June 2016.
One of the country’s most senior judges, Lady Justice Thirlwall, is leading the inquiry into the events, with the public hearings scheduled to start in Chester in September 2024.
The Appeal Court judge said many neonatal units “will require profound changes in relationships and culture” to ensure babies are kept safe.
On Wednesday, Lady Justice Thirlwall said the query about CCTV – suggested by some of the parents of babies harmed by Letby – had been included in a detailed questionnaire sent to hospitals.
The form – to be completed by both the medical director and a senior non-clinical manager – asks whether there is CCTV on neonatal units and, if not, whether its introduction has been considered.
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A short survey has also been sent to all neonatal midwives, doctors, nurses and managers to ask directly their views on the culture in their units.
‘Utterly unacceptable’
Launching the inquiry’s website, the judge said the parents of the murdered and injured babies “live with the consequences every day,” adding: “We all know that there have been many inquiries into events in hospitals and other healthcare settings over the last 30 years.
“The case of Beverley Allitt, who murdered babies at Grantham Hospital in the 1990s, comes to mind.
“Everyone was determined that it would not happen again. It has happened again. This is utterly unacceptable.”
She said she will seek to discover what recommendations were made in those inquiries – and what difference they have made.
Lady Justice Thirlwall added: “No one can argue with the proposition that babies in neonatal units must be kept safe and well cared for.
“What is needed is the practical application of that proposition everywhere. In many units it will require profound changes in relationships and culture.
“This may not be easy to achieve but it is necessary and long overdue.”
