The former chief executive of the Countess of Chester hospital has apologised to the families of the victims of Lucy Letby, but said the failure to “identify what was happening” sooner was “not a personal” one.
Tony Chambers led the NHS trust where neonatal nurse Letby, who fatally attacked babies between June 2015 and June 2016, worked.
He was giving evidence at the Thirlwall Inquiry and was questioned on how he and colleagues responded when senior doctors raised their concerns about Letby, who has been sentenced to 15 whole-life terms for seven murders and seven attempted murders.
Mr Chambers started his evidence by saying: “I just want to offer my heartfelt condolences to all of the families whose babies are at the heart of this inquiry
“I can’t imagine the impact it has had on their lives.
“I am truly sorry for the pain that may have been prolonged by any decisions that I took in good faith.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
He was then pressed on how much personal responsibility he should take for failings at the trust which permitted Letby to carry on working after suspicions had been raised with Mr Chambers.
Lucy Letby: Nursing boss Alison Kelly tells inquiry she had ‘best intentions’ but ‘didn’t get everything right’
Lucy Letby: Nurse likely murdered or attacked more children, doctor tells inquiry
Lucy Letby consultant: ‘I should have had more courage’ over reporting killer nurse
“I wholeheartedly accept that the operation of the Trust’s systems failed and there were opportunities missed to take earlier steps to identify what was happening,” he said.
“It was not a personal failing,” he said. “I have reflected long and hard as to why the board was not aware of the unexplained increase in mortality.”
Follow our channel and never miss an update
Mr Chambers also said he believed the hospital should have worked more closely with the families involved as he said: “I do believe on reflection the communications with the families could have and should have been better.”
The Thirlwall Inquiry is examining events at the Countess of Chester Hospital, following the multiple convictions of former neonatal nurse Letby.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
