The NHS Ombudsman, Rob Behrens, has advocated for enhanced powers for the ongoing inquiry into the murders committed by nurse Lucy Letby. Behrens has called for the inquiry’s transformation into a statutory entity with the authority to compel witnesses to provide testimony. Furthermore, he has pressed for an extensive review of the leadership and culture within the NHS.
Lucy Letby was recently found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to kill six others during her tenure as a nurse. In light of these grievous acts, the government initiated an investigation to scrutinize the events that transpired on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016. The primary objective of this inquiry is to extract valuable lessons from the circumstances.
Notwithstanding, families of the victims have advocated for the inquiry to possess statutory standing, ensuring a robust legal framework for its proceedings.
In correspondence addressed to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, Mr. Behrens, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, echoes these calls for statutory reinforcement. He underscores that only a statutory inquiry possesses the requisite legal authority to compel witness testimonies and the disclosure of evidence. This empowerment is crucial in unraveling the truth behind the events.
Behrens emphasizes, “The inquiry should have all possible levers available to it to get to the truth,” underscoring the imperative of a comprehensive, empowered investigation to deliver justice and transparency.
