Three former senior leaders of the Countess of Chester Hospital have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, following the alarming case of nurse Lucy Letby, who was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven more in the hospital’s neonatal unit from June 2015 to June 2016. The three individuals, who served on the senior leadership team during that time, have been released on bail after being questioned by Cheshire Police.
The investigation into potential corporate manslaughter at the hospital was initiated in 2023 and has since expanded to include allegations of gross negligence manslaughter. Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes outlined that the investigation aims to scrutinize the hospital leadership’s decision-making processes and assess whether criminal actions or negligence contributed to the increased fatalities observed during Letby’s tenure.
In addition to the manslaughter investigation, Cheshire Police is also examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and non-fatal collapses of infants at Chester and Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where Letby received training since 2012. While the investigation continues, there is currently no defined timeline for when conclusions will be reached.
Despite Letby’s sentencing to 15 whole life sentences, she maintains her innocence, and her legal team has sought a review from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) based on the findings of 14 medical experts who assert that Letby did not harm any infants. The CCRC is currently reviewing this application.
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has recently called for an urgent reassessment of Letby’s case due to serious concerns raised by expert analyses. This sentiment is echoed by other political figures, including Sir David Davis, who support a fresh examination of the evidence. However, the families of the victims have dismissed the expert panel’s conclusions as flawed and reiterated the need for accountability and transparency.
As investigations continue, a public inquiry into the overall circumstances surrounding Letby’s actions is expected to report its findings in early 2026. This inquiry has already raised critical questions regarding the oversight and response of the hospital’s leadership to the alarming rise in infant deaths in the neonatal unit.
These developments are deeply sensitive for all involved, particularly the families of Letby’s victims, as they navigate the complex landscape of justice and accountability within the healthcare system.