The previous medical director of the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby murdered babies has expressed regret for his “crass and inappropriate” communication with the children’s families. Ian Harvey was the most senior doctor at the Countess of Chester Hospital during the period between 2015 and 2016 when Letby killed seven babies and attempted to murder seven others. Testifying at the public inquiry into these crimes, Harvey admitted to giving the families a letter – which included a single page with an attachment of medical notes regarding a review over the babies’ deaths – that was “unthinking and insensitive.”
Harvey denied allegations that he concealed information from the families. He also denied claims of threatening doctors with referral to the General Medical Council regulator. However, he admitted regret for failing to offer pastoral care to the paediatricians that tried raising the alarm concerning Letby. Harvey expressed regret for the breakdown of relationships between the executives and consultants, apologising to consultants “if they felt intimidated” by him. Letby has been sentenced to life in prison for her crimes.
Dr Stephen Brearey had voiced concerns about Letby at an earlier meeting, and Mr. Harvey denied that the conversations at the meeting prompted any action. Harvey was also asked why he went ahead with a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health review of the neonatal unit when the reviewers notified him they couldn’t address the reason for the increase in unexpected deaths and collapses.
When he became medical director, Harvey admits to a “pastoral care failure” on his part, but insists he did not try to create a fear climate on the hospital unit. The Thirlwall Inquiry continues at Liverpool Town Hall
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