IT really is unimaginable that a killer nurse was somehow able to murder seven babies and attempt to kill six others while working on an NHS hospital’s intensive care unit. The Lucy Letby case is one of the most heartbreaking and hideous this country has ever seen. Thankfully, this week she was prevented from appealing her 14 life sentences .
Now the opportunity for proper answers will come in the form of a public inquiry starting in September. It will delve into how the nurse was able to murder those babies at the Countess of Chester, the conduct of others at the hospital and the culture in the wider NHS . At the preliminary hearing, the devastated families said they wanted the proceedings to be publicly broadcast to help stop social media conspiracy theories continuing to spread.
So do I. This inquiry needs to be open and in full view, for us all to know what went on, so lessons can be learned and parents can leave their babies in the arms of a nurse without feeling utter terror. But shockingly, the hospital doesn’t seem as keen.
Despite the atrocities that took place under its roof, a lawyer for the Countess of Chester told the hearing the staff have a “high level of anxiety” at the prospect of their evidence being streamed. Andrew Kennedy KC said if the prospect of live-streaming was removed, it would “encourage candour, frankness and openness”. This makes my blood boil.
Because at the end of the day the staff are public servants. They are paid for by you and .
