Overview
- The Thirlwall Inquiry published its final report on Tuesday, Sept 15, 2026, after 17 months of evidence hearings held in Liverpool.
- Lady Justice Kathryn Thirlwall framed the inquiry to examine systemic and managerial failures at the Countess of Chester rather than to re-litigate Letby’s 2023 convictions.
- The Criminal Cases Review Commission continues to review an expert dossier led by Dr Shoo Lee but the process was complicated when two technical experts, Helen Shannon and Geoff Chase, withdrew their support on Sept 14 over scientific concerns.
- Cheshire police investigations into three former senior hospital managers who were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter remain open and inquests into the deaths are scheduled for May 2027.
- The report is expected to name specific failings — including slow referral to police after a spike in neonatal deaths and weak board oversight — and to recommend tighter governance, clearer reporting rules and clinical controls such as safer insulin handling to help protect other families.