Lucy Letby boss admits she wrote 'absurd' letter to kids's households

The former medical director of the hospital the place Lucy Letby murdered kids has admitted that his communications with the youngsters's households have been “stupid and inappropriate”.

Ian Harvey was essentially the most senior physician on the Countess of Chester hospital when the nurse murdered seven kids and tried to kill seven others between 2015 and 2016.

Giving proof on the public inquiry into the crimes, he admitted a letter he wrote to households – which included a web page with medical notes concerning the evaluation into the youngsters's deaths – was “inconsiderate and insensitive”.

“I would just say that we are willing to share information as quickly as possible,” he stated.

“We knew there were excessive delays, but I accept that there is no apology for the way this was done.”

He described a letter from a toddler's mom begging him for info, calling it “heartbreaking”.

Mr Harvey, now retired, denied withholding info from the youngsters's households and concealing consultants' warnings about lateness.

He additionally denied threatening to refer medical doctors to the General Medical Council regulator, and stated this was achieved by Letby's father John.

However, Mr Harvey admitted failure in his responsibility of pastoral care to pediatricians making an attempt to warn about lateness, who famous that they usually attended when infants died or died all of the sudden and unexpectedly. Would come near dying.

He stated that the largest remorse of his profession was the breakdown of relationships between executives and advisors, and he apologized if advisors felt intimidated by him.

Letby's trial concluded that the nurse injected air into two of the three infants – often called Baby O and Baby P – on two consecutive days in June 2016.

The inquiry heard that neonatal medical lead Dr Stephen Breary had raised issues about lateness at a gathering a month earlier on May 11.

Dr Briere beforehand informed the inquiry he thought the variety of deaths in 2015 and early 2016 was “extraordinary” and informed Mr Harvey it was “unusual” that six of the 9 deaths occurred between midnight and 4am. It occurred between o'clock.

He stated he informed them there had been a number of evaluations, together with a evaluation by an outdoor neonatologist, and the one widespread theme was Letby being on responsibility.

Mr Harvey stated that “that was not consistent with my recollection of that meeting” and that he didn’t bear in mind Dr Brere being “that detailed or that articulate”.

Inquiry lawyer Rachel Langdale Casey informed Mr Harvey that Baby O and Baby P “should never have died after that May 11 meeting, should they have?”

,[Letby] “He may have been taken out of the ward and referred to the police,” he added.

Mr Harvey stated: “I would not accept as a result of that meeting that in the conversations that we had and the approach that Dr Breary and the nursing staff had, there was anything that would support such action.

“The actions emanating from the meeting were fully supported by Dr Breary and it was highlighted that one of the actions was the reporting of any further collapse or incidents.”

Mr Harvey added: “At no stage during this meeting did I feel that this was being reported because there was concern that Letby was responsible for the deaths.”

Letby was finally moved to an administrative function in July 2016 after assembly with officers following the deaths of all of the marketing consultant pediatricians.

Ms Langdale Casey additionally requested Mr Harvey whether or not he had requested the youngsters's dad and mom for permission to make use of their kids's medical information in a case observe evaluation of some sudden deaths within the neonatal unit.

Mr Harvey stated he couldn’t bear in mind whether or not he did so, however when pressed by Ms Langdale he stated: “I’d virtually definitely have put that process to her.

“I’ve no recollection of following it. If I didn’t do that, it could be a really vital error on my half and I’m very sorry for it.

He was additionally requested why he had the neonatal unit reviewed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, regardless of the reviewers telling him they might circuitously tackle the reason for the rise in sudden deaths and collapses.

Ms Langdale stated: “You have been spending time and money on a evaluation that didn't reply the query you have been going through. [that consultants paediatricians were concerned that Letby was deliberately harming babies],

Mr Harvey replied: “It was entirely appropriate to explore the full range of possible causes with relevant expertise, both medical and nursing.”

He was additionally requested why he informed the Hospital Committee that the Royal College didn’t suggest fast motion concerning the elevated mortality price, when it had truly really helpful the hospital launch its personal investigation into the medical doctors' issues.

Mr Harvey replied that he didn’t assume it was the sort of fast concern the place “they” [The Royal College] Say we have to take motion earlier than leaving the constructing or cease this service now.

Ms Langdale informed Mr Harvey that, throughout her tenure as medical director, medical doctors feared they might lose their jobs after elevating affected person security issues.

He responded: “I admit that I failed in the duty of pastoral care that I should have offered.”

But he stated he didn’t need to create an environment of concern within the unit.

He additionally refused to inform Susan Gilbey, who held the put up of chief govt on the hospital, that she ought to refer consultants to the General Medical Council.

“I didn't say that,” he stated.

The Thirlwall inquest, sitting in Liverpool Town Hall, continues.