A public inquiry into NHS nurse Lucy Letby's crimes has found that senior managers at the Countess of Chester Hospital could have prevented three murders and seven attempted murders had they called in the police sooner. Lady Justice Thirlwall's report concluded that hospital executives prioritised protecting the institution's reputation over investigating a spike in infant deaths, obstructing a police investigation while instead targeting the doctors who raised concerns. Families of the victims have condemned the findings as evidence of "multiple and repeated failings" by both individuals and the organisation.

The inquiry singled out former chief executive Tony Chambers, who earned £160,000, for "obstructing" the police probe and losing objectivity in his efforts to discredit whistleblowing consultants, while nursing director Alison Kelly was criticised for letting loyalty to a fellow nurse override patient safety. Doctors who raised the alarm were threatened with referrals to the General Medical Council rather than being treated as whistleblowers. The £18.5 million inquiry heard from more than 130 witnesses and examined over a million documents; Health Secretary Yvette Cooper apologised for the "unthinkable loss" and pledged to fast-track video baby monitors for neonatal units. Letby, 36, is serving 15 whole-life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016.