Senior Doctor Suggests Lucy Letby May Have Harmed Babies Earlier Than Previously Known
Dr. Stephen Brearey, the lead neonatal consultant at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has told a public inquiry that nurse Lucy Letby likely murdered or assaulted babies before June 2015, expanding the potential timeline of her criminal actions.
Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. Dr. Brearey led a group of seven consultants who spent months raising concerns about her actions on the hospital’s neonatal unit.
During his testimony, Dr. Brearey stated that “on reflection,” it is probable that Letby’s harmful actions began before the previously established date. While no one at the hospital had suspected her of harming children prior to June 2015, he believed that some incidents might have warranted further investigation.
The inquiry revealed a troubling sequence of events surrounding Letby’s employment. In July 2016, she was initially redeployed from the neonatal unit to a clerical role after a series of unexpected baby deaths and near-fatalities. The consultants insisted she should be removed from nursing duties.
However, an internal grievance procedure upheld in Letby’s favor allowed her potential return to nursing. In January 2017, hospital executives called a meeting where chief executive Tony Chambers instructed the consultants to apologize to Letby and her family.
Dr. Brearey described the meeting as “choreographed” and described the hospital’s behavior as potentially the most incompetent in NHS history. He was particularly shocked that after promoting “Speak Out Safely” practices, the executives demanded the consultants apologize to the person they had serious concerns about.
The consultant also described a breakdown of trust within the unit, comparing the work environment to “North Korea or East Germany” due to the inability to have open conversations with colleagues. He even suggested there might have been potential corrupt behavior or behind-the-scenes dealings.
In an emotional start to his testimony, Dr. Brearey apologized to the parents of the attacked babies, acknowledging that despite trying his best, his efforts were not always sufficient.
Letby, 34, from Hereford, is currently serving 15 whole-life orders for her crimes. The public inquiry, chaired by High Court judge Lady Justice Thirlwall and sitting at Liverpool Town Hall, is expected to continue into early next year, with findings likely to be published in autumn 2025.
The testimony highlights significant systemic failures in the hospital’s response to concerns about Letby and raises questions about how her alleged crimes could have continued for so long without effective intervention.
