After the devastating actions of Beverley Allitt and Harold Shipman, numerous recommendations were proposed to prevent future serial killers within the NHS. However, the recent case of Lucy Letby, who murdered seven babies, has prompted a new investigation to determine if any lessons were truly learned from past incidents.
The Thirlwall Inquiry, commencing tomorrow, will ask the parents of Letby’s victims to recount their experiences. Barrister Sir Robert Francis KC will scrutinise the NHS’s response to the killings by Allitt and Shipman.
Dr Ravi Jayaram is one of the consultant paediatricians who tried & tried & tried to raise concerns about Lucy Letby.
His trust stonewalled, threatened & gaslit him – then forced him to attend mediation with Letby & apologise to her.
Please read his words 👇 pic.twitter.com/i6l1VuKk71
— Dr Rachel Clarke (@doctor_oxford) August 20, 2023
Tamlin Bolton, solicitor for the families of six of Letby’s victims, stated that the inquiry would review the recommendations following the Shipman and Allitt cases, including the Mid-Staffs inquiry. The focus will be on what the recommendations were, how they were supposed to be implemented, whether they were followed through, and how they have influenced NHS practices.
Bolton expressed hope that the families will be invited to offer suggestions on preventing such incidents in the future.
In 1991, Allitt was convicted of murdering four infants and attempting to kill three others at a hospital in Lincolnshire. She used insulin in her attacks and is currently serving a life sentence.
Shipman, a GP, was convicted in 2000 of murdering 15 women with morphine overdoses while practising in Hyde, Greater Manchester. Sentenced to life in prison, he committed suicide in Wakefield jail in 2004. Investigations later revealed he had murdered hundreds of patients since 1975.
Sir Robert’s five-year inquiry in 2010 into up to 1,200 deaths due to poor care and staff shortages at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust led to the establishment of a “duty of candour” in the NHS.
Bolton noted that the families of Letby’s victims desire Lady Thirlwall’s inquiry to reinforce this duty. She mentioned that many families were unaware their children had suffered collapses or that there was an increased death rate in the neonatal unit. They knew of investigations but were not fully informed of the reasons.
Letby, 34, is now serving 15 life sentences for murdering the infants and attempting to kill seven others over a year-long period from 2015 while working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Biography.com discusses Lucy Letby, a serial killer who murdered seven babies, and compares her to Beverley Allitt, another notorious nurse killer. (read more)
- The Express reports that retired Detective Superintendent Stuart Clifton believes Lucy Letby’s crimes were inspired by Beverley Allitt, known as the “Angel of Death,” due to similar methods used. (read more)
- The Guardian reports on Lucy Letby’s conviction for murdering seven newborns and attempting to kill six others, highlighting her calculated and cruel actions within a neonatal unit, despite her seemingly normal upbringing and professional demeanor. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the Thirlwall Inquiry about?
The Thirlwall Inquiry examines if NHS bosses learned from past serial killer cases to prevent future incidents.
Who was Beverley Allitt?
Beverley Allitt was convicted of murdering four infants and attempting to kill three others in 1991.
What did Harold Shipman do?
Harold Shipman was found guilty of murdering 15 women with overdoses of morphine while working as a GP.
What is the ‘duty of candour’ in the NHS?
The ‘duty of candour’ requires NHS staff to be honest with patients about their care, established after the Mid-Staffs inquiry.
What are the families of Letby’s victims hoping for from the inquiry?
They hope the inquiry will be a strong reminder of the duty of candour and prevent future tragedies.