Thirlwall Inquiry: Lawyer calls on Countess of Chester Hospital Trust and executives to accept responsibility for Lucy Letby failures in closing submissions

The Thirlwall Inquiry started its final hearings on Monday with closing submissions made by the core participants and counsel. The inquiry was set up to examine events at the Countess of Chester Hospital following the convictions of former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby of murder and attempted murder of babies at the hospital.

The hearings are expected to finish on Wednesday, 19 March, and the Inquiry’s report is expected in the Autumn of 2025. 

In my role as a group actions medical negligence lawyer, I'll be attending with my colleague Grace Kelway on behalf of our clients.

Inquiry details and submissions

It's a little over six months since the hearings started on 10 September, 2024, and many witnesses have given evidence since then. 

A huge amount of documentation has also been gathered by the inquiry, and this along with the witness testimony has been carefully considered by the core participants. 

Detailed written submissions have already been provided to the Inquiry and are published at https://thirlwall.public-inquiry.uk/

The written submissions on behalf of our clients are those for Family Group 1, represented by Peter Skelton KC, Shahram Sharghy, and Leanne Woods all of 1 Crown Office Row.

Hopes for a commitment to improving patient safety

Seeing the evidence presented over the past six months has been difficult for the families, and it's important not to forget that they are at the heart of the inquiry. 

We hope that lessons have already been learned, and that the institutional core participants - particularly Countess of Chester Hospital and former executives - demonstrate through their closing submissions that they have reflected on what happened, accept responsibility for failures, and that they are committed to making necessary changes to improve patient safety. 

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