The Letby case inquiry will lead to more blame and suspicion in the NHS – and patients will be less safe
I fear for what comes next because medics must be able to ask questions, raise concerns and admit mistakes. A defensive staff is dangerous for everyone
TL;DR
- The author is convinced Lucy Letby is innocent, viewing her conviction as a major miscarriage of justice.
- The inquiry's recommendations risk creating a surveillance culture in the NHS, making clinicians fearful of scrutiny and blame.
- Patient safety is better served by openness, trust, and learning from mistakes, not by a culture of suspicion.
- A fearful and defensive healthcare workforce is dangerous for patient care.
- Governments and trade unions have a responsibility to protect both patients and the NHS workforce.
- The response to the inquiry could lead to a situation where disgruntled professionals trigger investigations based on hindsight, rather than fair judgment.
- The author fears the wrong lessons are being learned from the inquiry, potentially making the NHS less safe and less able to care for vulnerable newborns.