Senior Doctor Suggests Lucy Letby May Have Harmed Babies Earlier Than Previously Known
Dr. Stephen Brearey, 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, potentially extending her period of criminal activity.
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 reflected that Letby probably did not suddenly become a “killer” in June 2015, suggesting her harmful actions might have occurred over a longer period. However, he emphasized that no one in the hospital had suspected her of harming children prior to that date.
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 ultimately favored Letby, allowing 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 executive behavior as potentially the most incompetent in NHS history. He was particularly shocked that after promoting “Speak Out Safely” practices, the hospital demanded the consultants apologize to the person they had serious concerns about.
The consultant also described a breakdown of trust within the unit, saying it sometimes felt like working in “North Korea or East Germany” with an inability to have open conversations with colleagues. He even suggested there might have been potential corrupt behavior or behind-the-scenes dealings.
At the beginning of his testimony, Dr. Brearey apologized to the parents of the affected babies, stating, “I’m sorry for my part in not being able to protect your babies. I tried my best, and I acknowledge that at times my best was not enough.”
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 late autumn 2025.
The inquiry aims to examine the comprehensive circumstances surrounding Letby’s actions and the hospital’s response, seeking to understand how such a series of tragic events could have occurred and potentially prevent similar incidents in the future.
