Letby, 35, received 15 whole-life orders after being found guilty of killing seven infants at Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. The former nurse, originally from Hereford, was also found guilty of attempted murder on a further seven babies, including two attempts to kill one infant.
The update comes after police at Cheshire Constabulary previously confirmed that an investigation into corporate manslaughter against the hospital was being carried out, with the charges now being widened to potential gross negligence manslaughter.
“In October 2023 following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital,” Cheshire Constabulary said in a statement.
The spokesperson went on to add that the investigation would focus on ‘senior leadership and their decision-making’ in order to understand whether or not ‘any criminality has taken place concerning the response to the increased levels of fatalities’.
“As our enquiries have continued, the scope of the investigation has now widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter,” the statement continued.
An undisclosed number of suspects have been identified and notified in connection to the probe into baby deaths between 2012 and 2016.
The force also noted the current investigation will not have any impact on Letby’s convictions. “This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals,” the statement continued.
“It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder.
Countess of Chester hospital, where Letby had previously worked (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
“Those identified as suspects have been notified,” the statement continued.
“We will not be confirming the number of people involved or their identity as no arrests or charges have yet been made.
“Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.
“Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing.
“Our priority is to maintain the integrity of our ongoing investigations and to support the many families who are at the heart of these.”
Letby was recently interviewed by police officers over further investigations into alleged baby deaths at a separate hospital at the end of last year. Her legal team are also seeking to challenge against the rulings made against Letby in 2023 and 2024, following claims made by a panel of international health experts.
