Hospital Leaders Face Scrutiny Over Delayed Police Action in Lucy Letby Case

Inquiry reveals missed opportunities and internal conflicts as hospital management failed to act on early warnings about Britain’s most prolific child killer.

Ian Harvey, former medical director of the Countess of Chester Hospital, admitted to a 'missed opportunity' in failing to report early infant deaths linked to Lucy Letby in 2015.
Tony Chambers, the hospital's former CEO, denied accusations of obstructing police investigations and attempting to intimidate whistleblowing consultants who raised concerns.
Consultants repeatedly urged hospital management to involve police after a series of unexplained infant deaths, but reviews were prioritized over immediate action.
Letby, convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder six others, continued working at the hospital until police were contacted in May 2017, nearly two years after concerns arose.
Both Harvey and Chambers expressed regret over their handling of the situation but defended some decisions, citing fears of false accusations and past legal missteps in similar cases.