NMC admits it “did not act quickly enough” and “should have done more” in response to Letby concerns

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has acknowledged that it failed to respond adequately when concerns about former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby were first raised, admitting that it “did not act quickly enough” and “should have done more” to protect the public. In a statement responding to the publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry report, the regulator said it should have taken a more proactive approach, shown greater professional curiosity and considered the possibility of deliberate harm much earlier. The NMC also accepted that it did not move quickly enough to suspend Letby and failed to sufficiently scrutinise information provided by the hospital trust.

The Thirlwall Inquiry was established to examine how Lucy Letby was able to commit offences against babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and to identify lessons for healthcare organisations and regulators. The inquiry considered the actions of hospital leadership, wider healthcare bodies and regulators in response to concerns raised about Letby’s practice. Following the report, the NMC said it has strengthened its approach to interim orders and risk assessment and is committed to implementing the inquiry’s recommendations.

Paul Rees, the NMC’s Chief Executive and Registrar, apologised for the regulator’s failings, stating that “from the moment concerns about Letby were first brought to the NMC’s attention ten years ago we should have stepped up proactively” and that the organisation “should have done more to understand what the hospital trust was doing in terms of safeguarding”.

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