Thirlwall Inquiry begins: Lawyer representing family core participants explores what will be investigated

The Thirlwall Inquiry is due to commence today at Liverpool Town Hall with an opening statement from Counsel to the Inquiry, followed by opening statements by legal representatives of core participants. 

The Inquiry will then hear from witnesses, including family members, staff and management from the Countess of Chester Hospital, representatives from external bodies, and independent experts. 

It's expected that the Inquiry will continue hearing oral evidence until December 2024. The Inquiry will subsequently produce a final report with any recommendations considered appropriate by the Chair (Lady Justice Thirlwall).

Background of Inquiry

The Inquiry was established under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine issues arising from the murder and attempted murder of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital by former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby. Letby was convicted of seven counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder in August 2023, and a further count of attempted murder in July 2024 following a re-trial. 

As a group actions lawyer specialising in medical negligence, I'm instructed to represent family core participants at the Thirlwall Inquiry and am working alongside the solicitors representing other family core participants. Counsel for our clients are Peter Skelton KC and Shahram Sharghy of 1 Crown Office Row. 

What will the Inquiry investigate?

The Inquiry will investigate three broad areas within its Terms of Reference:

A. The experiences of the Countess of Chester Hospital and other relevant NHS services, of all the parents of the babies named in the indictment.

B. The conduct of those working at the Countess of Chester Hospital, including the board, managers, doctors, nurses, and midwives with regard to the actions of Lucy Letby while she was employed there as a neonatal nurse and subsequently.

C. The effectiveness of NHS management and governance structures and processes, external scrutiny and professional regulation in keeping babies in hospital safe and well looked after, whether changes are necessary and, if so, what they should be, including how accountability of senior managers should be strengthened. This will include a consideration of NHS culture.

What do we want from the Inquiry?

These hearings will be a difficult time for our clients, who have already been through so much grief and upset already, but they hope and expect the Inquiry will carry out a robust and thorough investigation which leads to recommendations for change, so that the safety of babies on neonatal wards and patients generally can be improved.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people with care concerns at our dedicated medical negligence section.