Dr John Gibbs: Lucy Letby Inquiry Report Makes for 'Grim Reading'

Consultant paediatrician Dr John Gibbs, who worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital during the period in 2015 to 2016 when Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to murder seven more on the neonatal unit, has expressed his disappointment with the final inquiry report. The Thirlwall Inquiry was launched after Letby's conviction in 2023, and the final report was published on Tuesday.

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Gibbs said that he accepted that consultants must bear "collective" responsibility for some of the failings identified in the report. He expressed regret over not escalating his suspicions to the police earlier, stating: "I wish we consultants had been brave enough to follow our suspicions and escalate things to the police earlier,".

The report found that hospital executives had multiple opportunities to act and potentially save babies' lives while the deaths were happening. Gibbs agreed with this finding, saying: But it was during that 11 months after Lucy Letby was moved off the unit, before the police got involved, that it was a very difficult atmosphere, very tense, very stressful dealing with the managers.

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He also spoke of the failures of his and his wider team. Specifically referencing a doctor who disregarded blood test results that suggested a baby had been poisoned with insulin in August 2015. While one of his colleagues had missed the relevance of the results when they came back from the lab, it had been a collective team failure.

Gibbs said that he felt "we failed the babies" and apologised to the families for their loss. He also expressed frustration with online conspiracy theories surrounding Letby's case. Saying: I particularly find the misinformation that's on the internet is difficult to deal.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), an independent body set up to examine potential miscarriages of justice, is currently reviewing her convictions. Gibbs emphasised the importance of examining the evidence used to convict Letby, saying: "I haven't changed my mind that reports suggest Lucy Letby is guilty."

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The Thirlwall Inquiry report found a "complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital". The report also stated that hospital managers had repeatedly dismissed consultants' concerns.

Gibbs began working in Chester in 1994 and is now retired. He has expressed his disappointment with the inquiry's findings, stating: "I wasn't expecting it to be an easy read and it certainly isn't."

The report's findings have sparked concerns about the hospital's handling of Letby's case. Gibbs said that he hoped the recommendations from the inquiry would help prevent similar deaths in the future.

Gibbs' comments come as the public continues to grapple with the implications of Letby's crimes. The BBC has sought comment from other experts and officials, but none have been available at the time of writing.

The inquiry's findings have sparked a range of reactions on social media. With some expressing support for Gibbs' comments and others criticising his views on Letby's guilt.