Cheshire Police has launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital after nurse Lucy Letby was sentenced to a whole life order for murdering seven newborn babies and attempting to murder six more at the hospital’s neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016.
Letby’s conviction prompted calls for a probe into hospital executives who allegedly failed to act on concerns about the serial killer. Detective Superintendent Simon Blackwell, the strategic lead for Operation Hummingbird, the investigation into Letby, confirmed the development.
The focus of the investigation will span the period of the charges against Letby, from June 2015 to June 2016. It will examine senior leadership and decision-making at the hospital to determine whether any criminality occurred. Currently, the investigation does not target specific individuals in relation to gross negligence manslaughter.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Detective Superintendent Blackwell stated, “The investigation is in the very early stages, and we are unable to go into any further details or answer specific questions at this time.” He emphasised the impact on various stakeholders, including the families involved, and assured ongoing support during the process.
