Here is a timeline of events that has led us to the trial currently underway in the case of Lucy Letby, who is accused of murdering 7 babies and a further 15 attempted murders.
2011- Lucy Letby completed her education in the medical field and graduated from the University of Chester. After her graduation, Letby started working at Liverpool Women's hospital.
June 2015-June 2016- During this period; there was an increase in deaths of babies at the neonatal ward at the Counteds of Chester Hospital.
February 2017- The hospital trust conducted an independent clinical review into its neonatal services, to understand why there had been a greater number of deaths than it would normally expect on its neonatal unit between January 2015 and July 2016. The findings from the review revealed 24 recommendations for improvement, all of which the hospital said were underway at the time.
May 2017- The Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust contacts Cheshire Constabulary regarding neonatal services at the hospital. This was in relation to a greater number of baby deaths and non-fatal collapses than normally expected during the period of June 2015 and June 2016. The hospital also made the constabulary aware of a number of independent reviews that they had commissioned into these deaths. As a result, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation.
At the time, he said: "The latest that we have heard is that they are not expected to hear anything before the spring and that’s as much as the police have really said.
July 2018- Cheshire Constabulary confirmed police activity in Blacon was linked to the ongoing investigation into baby deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital. On Tuesday, July 3, 2018, a female healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to eight babies. She was also being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to six babies cared for at the hospital’s neonatal unit. Searches and forensic investigation in Blacon were ‘in connection with' the ongoing inquiry at the unit. Three days after the search, a woman who was arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies following an investigation at the Countess of Chester Hospital, was bailed pending further enquiries.
August 2018- Cheshire police confirm their investigation is still ongoing and cannot provide an update.
September 2018- Tony Chambers, former chief executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital, issues statement on his resignation which referenced the investigation. Mr Chambers said in the statement: “It has been a huge privilege to be the chief executive of Countess of Chester Hospital for the past six years. Recent times have been particularly challenging for the hospital not least of which is the ongoing police investigation into an increase in mortality rates in our neonatal unit.
"My thoughts will continue to be with the bereaved families as they await the outcome of the police investigation. I have now decided to step aside to allow the trust to focus on its future and for me to explore new opportunities and the next stage of my career.”
December 2018- December marks six months since a female healthcare professional was arrested in connection with the suspicious baby deaths. Cheshire police confirm the investigation is ongoing – the individual remains on bail but so far she has not been charged with any offence.
June 2019- Police re-arrested a healthcare worker on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies at the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. At the time, Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, said: “In July 2018 a healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies at the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.
“As part of our ongoing investigation we have re-arrested the healthcare professional on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies.
“She has also been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies.
“The woman is currently in custody helping officers with their enquiries."
January 2020- The investigation continues and the individual remains on bail, not charged with any offence. Hospital chief executive Dr Susan Gilby (pictured above) told CheshireLive at the time that she was in close contact with police but there was no update.
November 2020- Cheshire Constabulary issue update on investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, said: “It has been more than three years since we first launched an investigation into a number of baby deaths and non-fatal collapses at the neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital.
“In that time a dedicated team of detectives have been working extremely hard on this highly complex and very sensitive case doing everything they can as quickly as they can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.
“In July 2018, a healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of 8 babies and the attempted murder of 6 babies at the neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital. She was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.
“In June 2019, the healthcare professional was re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of 8 babies and the attempted murder of 6 babies. She was also arrested in connection with the attempted murder of 3 additional babies.
“Today (Tuesday 10 November), as part of our ongoing enquiries, the healthcare professional has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of 8 babies and the attempted murder of 9 babies.
“The woman is currently in custody helping officers with their enquiries.
“Parents of all the babies have been kept fully updated on this latest development and they are continuing to be supported throughout the process by specially trained officers.
“This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children.
“Due to the nature of this investigation it is extremely challenging but it is important to remember that, despite the passage of time, it is very much active and ongoing. There are no set timescales and we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation.
“We fully appreciate that it continues to have a big impact on all those involved – including the families of the babies, staff and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public.
“For that reason, I would urge people to avoid any commentary or speculation online or otherwise regarding the investigation itself or the identity of anyone involved as this is unhelpful and it could cause distress to the parents of the babies. It could also impact on the ongoing criminal case moving forward.
“At this stage, I am unable to go into any further details about the investigation but as soon as I can provide any further updates I will do.”
October 2021- Letby pleads not guilty via video link.
June 2022- Letby was found not guilty on one count of murder.
October 2022- A further 5 charges are added for attempted murder, bringing the total to 22 charges.
Trial begins, with Letby facing 7 murder charges and 15 attempted murder charges.
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