In a recent public inquiry, Kathryn de Beger, the head of occupational health at Countess of Chester Hospital, disclosed that she encouraged Lucy Letby to pursue regular placements at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, even while knowing that Letby was under investigation for the suspected murder of infants. This inquiry, conducted by the Thirlwall panel, revealed de Beger’s support for Letby after she was removed from the neonatal unit in July 2016.
De Beger explained that she recommended these placements in April 2017 as a way for Letby to alleviate stress, mere weeks before the police were notified about unexplained deaths and deteriorating conditions among newborns at Countess of Chester. Despite being aware of serious allegations against Letby, de Beger thought that senior management had approved the arrangements.
The inquiry revealed that these placements, which occurred between January and April 2017, were informally set up by a doctor who had formed a close bond with Letby. De Beger noted that senior management at Alder Hey had not been informed of Letby’s investigation.
In an email dated April 25, 2017, de Beger stated her belief that Letby’s visits to Alder Hey would positively impact her mental wellbeing: “I think going to Alder Hey is a good idea… I think you should go to Alder Hey regularly. It would give you a break from the stress here.” When asked about her reasoning, considering the severe allegations, de Beger responded, “I would have assumed that was in place and agreed by senior managers… Being away from the stress at the Countess would have been good for her health and wellbeing.”
Andrew Bershadski, the inquiry’s counsel, inquired whether de Beger thought the allegations against Letby were unfounded, suggesting she was safe to visit Alder Hey. De Beger replied, “That’s not my remit at all.”
Additional testimonies highlighted that de Beger, from the HR department, had exchanged around 750 text messages with Letby over 15 months. While she acknowledged the unusual nature of this communication, she emphasized her dedication to supporting Letby’s mental health. In an email from early 2017, de Beger reassured Letby of management’s backing for her return to the neonatal unit, stating, “You have all the reassurance that the execs and us support you.”
The inquiry also delved into Letby’s emotional state, revealing she had felt guilt regarding the babies’ deaths. In a text from April 2017, nine months after her removal from the unit, she expressed, “I feel as though this must be my fault… do you think that’s normal?” De Beger shared that at that time, she didn’t find Letby’s feelings alarming, believing they were rooted in the breakdown of mediation with her colleagues rather than the allegations themselves.
De Beger also recognized that she should have sought clinical supervision when supporting Letby, given the seriousness of the situation, and felt that her involvement in Letby’s life had grown more complex. She recounted Letby’s expressions of empathy during a particularly troubling period, where Letby showed concern for the parents affected by the neonatal unit tragedies.
Letby, who has denied all charges, is currently serving a life sentence for murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others. Although some experts have raised concerns about the validity of these convictions, those issues are not under examination in the ongoing Thirlwall inquiry.
