Doctor who helped catch Lucy Letby calls for greater protections for whistleblowers ahead of public inquiry into how serial baby-killer was able to murder infants while on duty
- Paediatrician Dr Ravi Jayaram says staff flagging concerns need more support
- He and other medics at the Countess of Chester Hospital say they were ignored
A doctor who helped catch serial baby-killer Lucy Letby has demanded stronger protections for whistleblowers, ahead of a public inquiry into how she was allowed to keep on murdering newborns while on duty.
Dr Ravi Jayaram says existing measures do not go far enough to support those who raise the alert about NHS safety concerns.
He is now working with MPs on setting up a new 'office of the whistleblower' to help ensure worries are properly investigated - and staff flagging issues do not suffer.
Dr Jayaram, whose evidence helped convict Letby, believes several babies' lives could have been spared had hospital bosses acted on his suspicions sooner.
His new calls come days after it was confirmed the first hearing of the public inquiry investigating killer nurse Letby's crimes will be held on Thursday next week.
Killer nurse Lucy Letby was given 14 life tariffs after being found guilty of seven counts of murder and seven of attempted murder at Manchester Crown Court last August
Dr Ravi Jayaram, one of the doctors who raised concerns at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire, is calling for greater protection for NHS whistleblowers
A public inquiry is due to open later this month into the crimes of killer nurse Letby (pictured)
Letby, 34, was convicted of seven counts of murder and seven of attempted murder relating to 13 victims – one of the babies she tried to kill twice – at Manchester Crown Court last August.
The inquiry was set up in the aftermath of her convictions to examine how she was able to kill the babies while on duty at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire.
It will also look at how the NHS handled the case and its response to doctors who raised concerns.
Dr Jayaram, a senior paediatrician at the Countess of Chester Hospital, had joined other doctors in warning NHS bosses about the serial killer months before police were called in.
Yet the group found themselves advised by bosses to apologise to her or face a possible referral to the General Medical Council.
In a letter, revealed by ITV News last August, consultants allegedly wrote under duress: 'Dear Lucy, we would like to apologise for any inappropriate comments that may have been made during this difficult period.
'We are very sorry for the stress and upset that you have experienced in the last year. Please be reassured that patient safety has been our absolute priority during this difficult time.'
Police would later be called into the hospital trust almost two years after the deaths of the first of the seven babies Letby was convicted of murdering.
The existing Public Interest Disclosure Act permits employees to push for compensation through a tribunal if they suffer after flagging worries.
But Dr Jayaram says there needs to be more assurance offered to those coming forward with significant concerns, the Sunday Mirror reported.
Dr Ravi Jayaram has blasted hospital bosses for failing to apologise over their alleged inaction in stopping Lucy Letby's killing spree
Letby, now 34, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court last August of seven charges of murdering infants between 2015 and 2016 and seven of attempted murder
She had been working as a neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire
He said: 'We need to ensure that when staff raise concerns, they are addressed objectively without prejudice.'
The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association has previously called for reform of the disciplinary system to ensure that staff who speak out about problems are protected from 'retribution' following Letby's convictions.
Lady Justice Thirlwall, the senior judge chairing the investigation into the activities of ex-neonatal nurse Letby, last week confirmed the first public hearing will take place at Chester Racecourse on May 16.
She will hear submissions from interested parties and also give an update on work carried out by the inquiry since its launch last November.
Formally opening the inquiry last year, Lady Justice Thirlwall said: 'The parents of the babies who were murdered or suffered injuries, some life-long, live with the consequences every day.
'On top of their grievous loss, they endured years of uncertainty about what had caused death or injury. For some, uncertainty remains.
'All have made it plain to me that they want to do all they can to make sure no one else suffers as they do.'
She said the inquiry would be 'searching and active' and would look for necessary changes to be made to the system of neonatal care 'in real time and at the earliest opportunity, avoiding delays in making meaningful change'.
It is a statutory inquiry which means it will have powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and is due to focus on three key areas.
These include the experiences of the babies' parents and the conduct of those working at the hospital, including the board, managers, doctors, nurses and midwives.
Lady Justice Thirlwall (pictured), the senior judge chairing the investigation into the activities of the ex-neonatal nurse, confirmed the first public hearing will take place on May 16
This is the moment Letby was arrested and led out of her home by police for the murders of babies at the hospital where she worked
Also under consideration will be the effectiveness of NHS management and governance structures, as well as external scrutiny and professional regulation.
Letby was sentenced to 14 whole life tariffs for each guilty count, meaning she will die in jail and has no prospect of parole.
Trial judge Mr Justice Goss said she had been responsible for a 'cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder' between June 2015 and June 2016.
Letby applied for leave to appeal against her convictions soon after the guilty verdicts last year.
Her initial bid before a single judge failed but a panel of three judges is currently considering whether to grant her permission after she re-applied via her lawyers last week.
They reserved their judgement but if they refuse it will mark the end of the appeal process for her.
Letby, formerly of Hereford, is due to face a retrial in June on a single count that she attempted to murder a baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016.
A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children who were the subject of the allegations.
Following Letby's sentencing last August, the Countess of Chester Hospital's medical director Dr Nigel Scawn said: 'I speak for the whole trust when I say how deeply saddened and appalled we are at Lucy Letby's crimes.
'We are extremely sorry that these crimes were committed at our hospital and our thoughts continue to be with all the families and loved ones of the babies who came to harm or died. We cannot begin to understand what they have been through.
'This case has had a profound impact on our patients and our local community and also our staff, who come to work every day determined to provide safe and high quality care for all of our patients.
'Our staff are devastated by what has happened and we are committed to ensuring that lessons continue to be learned.
'We are grateful for the co-operation of our staff, especially those that have maintained the utmost professionalism while giving evidence in this trial.'
