Lady Justice Thirlwall will hear opening statements as the public inquiry into events at the Countess of Chester hospital beginsNine months ago, Lady Justice Thirlwall and the inquiry published her opening statement, which is available on video.In it, she said:We all know that there have been many inquiries into events in hospitals and other health care settings over the last thirty years. The case of Beverley Allitt who murdered babies at Grantham hospital in the 1990s comes to mind. Everyone was determined that it would not happen again. It has happened again. This is utterly unacceptable. I want to know what recommendations were made in all these inquiries, I want to know whether they were implemented? What difference did they make? Where does accountability lie for errors that are made?No one can argue with the proposition that babies in neonatal units must be kept safe and well cared for. What is needed is the practical application of that proposition everywhere. In many units it will require profound changes in relationships and culture. This may not be easy to achieve but it is necessary and long overdue. The barriers to change must be identified if that hasn’t been done already and those barriers must be removed. Where there is good practice, that must be shared. Bringing about necessary change will require the cooperation and will of all those who are involved in and who are responsible for the babies in our neonatal units – from the ward to the boardroom. The inquiry relies on that cooperation as we work on this profoundly important task. Continue reading…
Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2024/sep/10/thirlwall-inquiry-lucy-letby-countess-of-chester-hospital-latest-updates
Author : Martin Belam
Publish date : 2024-09-10 08:41:52
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Lucy Letby: Thirlwall inquiry into baby murders at NHS hospital begins – live
