Demand for a statutory investigation into Lucy Letby’s murder has increased after a bereaved family accused the hospital of “totally ignoring” when they begged for answers.
The parents of their murdered newborn son and poisoned twin, said they had repeatedly tried to see the hospital’s medical director, but their calls went unanswered.
Richard Scorer, an attorney at law firm Slater and Gordon, which represents the family, said it was “disgraceful” that chief medical officer Ian Harvey did not adequately address parents’ concerns.
He told the Guardian: “It appears that Ian Harvey has little interest in passing any meaningful information to parents, responding satisfactorily to any of their concerns or complying with any straightforward obligations. honest to them.
“In our view, the failure to address parents’ concerns is shameful and another matter that should be investigated by a statutory investigation that has the authority to compel witnesses and provide evidence. documentation.”
Harvey stepped down as chief medical officer a few weeks after Letby’s ruling in July 2018 and now lives in the south of France.
Responding to the allegations, Harvey told the Guardian: “After reading heartbreaking statements about victims, I know how much parents are waiting for answers and I will help them as much as I can in this matter. public investigation.
“I apologize because they feel left out. I want to give a detailed and precise answer, but this is difficult while the reviews and investigations are going on. When the police got involved, they advised us not to say or do anything that might jeopardize their investigation.”
He said he was told all communication should be through the police family liaison officer and not the hospital, adding: “I apologize for not communicating that clearly enough. clear at that time”.
Rishi Sunak is under increasing pressure to step up an independent investigation into the handling of concerns about Letby by executives at the Countess of Chester hospital.
Senior doctors first alerted an executive to a nurse’s link to three sudden unexplained deaths in June 2015 – a year before she was finally released from the ward. new-born.
Letby, 33, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, meaning she will never be released from prison for the murder of seven children and the attempted murder of six others. She was found not guilty of two counts of attempted murder of a baby girl and the jury was unable to reach a verdict regarding the other four infants.
The parents of the twins, who can only be named Baby E and Child F, on Tuesday added to growing calls for an investigation to be carried out by law so that the twins can be forced into law. witnesses must testify under oath.
Scorer, head of publicity and abuse investigations at Slater and Gordon, said the family had made “many efforts” to contact Harvey for answers about why Child E died and his twin brother deteriorated again in August 2015 – but that “despite many attempts to overcome”. With him, they never received a call back.”
Instead, in early 2017, the family sent out a series of “sedating” letters – seen by the Guardian – that did not provide a satisfactory explanation of the suspicious events. The scorer said: “Our customers have described his answer as a ‘total absurdity’.”
The parents said they made multiple attempts to call Harvey between February and April 2017 and left messages at the phone number he provided in the first letter. Despite repeatedly calling his secretary, they insist Harvey never answered their calls. The police investigation began in May 2017.
The boys’ mother told Letby’s sentencing hearing on Monday that they were trapped in a “living nightmare” following their son’s “unimaginable and devastating” murder in August 2018. 2015.
She said the poisoning of her twin had caused him severe learning difficulties, adding that the trial helped them understand for the first time what had happened to their children. Miss.
“We now have every rough and graphic to work with in the coming months. Nothing can change what happened to us. We are serving a life sentence for Lucy’s crimes,” she added.
In a statement following Friday’s ruling, Harvey said he would cooperate with any investigation, adding: “At this point, my thoughts are with the children for whom treatment is at the heart of their lives. court as well as their parents and loved ones who have been through something.” inconceivable.”
Dr Stephen Brearey, the consultant pediatrician who first issued the warning about Letby, added to the call for a statutory investigation on Tuesday.
He called for the investigation to look into the role of the General Health Council (GMC) and said the regulator had “failed doctors and patients” by not conducting a proper investigation into the matter. Harvey.
Breathey and three of his consulting pediatrician colleagues formally filed a misconduct complaint with GMC about Harvey in 2018.
It is alleged that Harvey failed to act on concerns about Letby despite the growing number of infant deaths and misled the public when he said, in February 2017, that there was “no good cause or cause.” What factors have been identified to explain the increase in deaths?
Two reviews at this time called for further forensic investigation into a number of unexplained deaths, related to Letby’s later conviction of murder.
Breathey said GMC “didn’t bother” to examine the evidence or speak to the three other consultants who filed the complaint before concluding the investigation.
Harvey told the regulator he would “vigorously” defend himself but did not specifically respond to the allegations, according to a copy of the complaint seen by the Guardian. GMC removed him with no case to answer in May 2022.
The former orthopedic surgeon gave up his license to practice when he retired to France in 2018 and in 2020 he gave up his registration with the GMC.
Of the GMC investigation, Harvey said on Tuesday: “Given the current circumstances, I feel certain that GMC has conducted a thorough investigation. On May 3, 2022, GMC informed me that they had concluded their investigation and that the case was closed without further action.”
Dr Ravi Jayaram, senior pediatrician at the Countess of Chester hospital, said in an email to GMC coroners on May 6, 2022 that “it is clear that GMC made no effort at all. ” To test. the evidence.
He added: “To conclude that ‘there is no evidence when, in fact, there has been little effort to find evidence that would inspire little confidence in GMC’s ability to fulfill its core obligation,’ he added. Our core is to protect our patients.”
Anthony Omo, GMC’s director of practicing fitness, said the regulator had “thoroughly examined all relevant information” and decided that the case was not at the threshold of referral to medical court.
“We do not take our decision-making responsibilities lightly and recognize that reporting concerns to fellow healthcare professionals can be a very difficult process,” said Omo.
“We offer support to whistleblowers, including a confidential helpline, staffed by specially trained counselors, to help doctors raise concerns or seek advice if they feel unable to do so locally.
“We welcome the announcement of an independent investigation that will take a closer look at these facts and of course we will participate in that investigation.”
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