Thirlwall Inquiry final report to be published
The final report into how Lucy Letby was able to commit her crimes will be published today
The final report of the Thirlwall Inquiry, which looks into how Lucy Letby was able to murder and harm babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, is due to be published today.
The independent public inquiry, which was officially opened in October 2023, has thoroughly examined the victims families experiences, the response and conduct of staff at the hospital as well as the wider NHS.
The main objective of the inquiry is to seek answers for the families and ensure lessons are learned so that it cannot happen again.
The inquiry has consisted of hearings from witnesses, the families affected and staff at the hospital including the CEO of the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The report will detail the findings of its investigations formed around evidence, expert witness testimonies and document analysis and provide a list of recommendations, these usually are aimed at the government, an organisation or society on how systematic failures can be prevented. Recommendations are advice rather than court orders and it is then decided by the bodies they are for whether they will be accepted and implemented.
Lady Justice Thirlwall was appointed the chair of the inquiry and is responsible for discharging the Inquiry’s terms of reference and supervising its progress, she isn’t able to make any findings of civil or criminal liability.
At the same time as the report is published Lady Justice Thirlwall is due to make a closing statement which will be live streamed on the inquiry’s YouTube.
The inquests into the deaths of the babies involved had been due to take place this week but were postponed until the findings of the report were published, they are now due to take place in May 2027.