Betsi Cadwaladr: North Wales' health board bosses voice support for inquiry into Lucy Letby

Letby joined the list of the UK’s most horrific child killers, including the Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley and the so-called Angel of Death paediatric nurse Beverley Allitt. Credit: PA

Health board bosses in Wales have pledged to "take in all the lessons to be learned" from the Lucy Letby case.

It comes after a meeting of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board took place this week to discuss the submission of its financial accounts to the Welsh Government.

Nurse Lucy Letby found guilty of murdering neonatal babies

Interim chair Dyfed Edwards opened the meeting by saying it was taking place "in the shadow of Lucy Letby" and the "astonishing and harrowing stories that have shocked us all".

Last week Letby was convicted by a jury of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more while as a nurse just over the border at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit.Some of the families affected by her crimes were from Wales.

The nurse was given a whole-life sentence in prison when sentenced on Monday.

She is now the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history.

Lucy Letby was sentenced to a whole life order after she murdered seven babies and the attempted to murder six others. Credit: Cheshire Constabulary/PA

Mr Edwards extended his deep condolences "to all affected" and confirmed the North Wales health board would be collaborating with any inquiry going forward.

This commitment was echoed by interim chief executive Carol Shillabeer who said that whatever could be learned from the inquiry would be fully taken on board in north Wales.

She said: "The sense of shock is still huge for everyone in the NHS whether you work in the NHS or a patient.

"Particularly our thoughts are with those families that have been directly affected by the crimes of Lucy Letby. They are truly harrowing, our hearts go out to them and all the staff who were involved in our partner organisation across at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Former bosses at the Countess of Chester hospital have come under considerable pressure after the conviction of Lucy Letby. Credit: PA Images

"I've been in the NHS for 30-odd years and I go back to my first years when there was a truly horrific crime and then some years later that of Harold Shipman as well. These are truly devastating events that have happened and very shocking.

"There has been an inquiry that has been announced and I understand the Welsh Government and the Minister has fully supported that, as I know that we do as a board and as professionals, and perhaps as parents and users of services."

Ms Shillabeer added that there would be "no stone left unturned in terms of what the learning is and how we might take that into account here at this health board".

She said: "We will work hard and in an open and transparent way to understand how the NHS in North Wales can really gain a sense of learning from not just this event but when things go wrong in healthcare in a number of other settings.

"I very much hope we're able to move forward with that spirit in mind, that we will be taking on board all the learning in the coming weeks, months and years."

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