Lucy Letby Case: A Complex Web of Convictions, Appeals and Systemic Scrutiny

LONDON, 20 January 2026 – The case of Lucy Letby, the former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, remains one of the most complex and scrutinised in modern British legal history. While she serves 15 whole-life sentences, the legal and procedural landscape around her convictions continues to evolve, with an ongoing public inquiry, a pending review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), and intense debate about the medical evidence that secured her guilt.

The Convictions and Legal Proceedings

Lucy Letby was found guilty in August 2023 following a ten-month trial at Manchester Crown Court. The jury convicted her of the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of six others, with two attempts on one child. She was sentenced to a whole-life order, becoming the fourth woman in UK history to receive such a sentence. The jury at that trial could not reach verdicts on six further counts of attempted murder.

In July 2024, following a retrial on one of those counts, Letby was convicted of the attempted murder of a baby girl known as Child K. She received a fifteenth whole-life order for this offence. An application for leave to appeal against this 2024 conviction, on grounds of prejudicial media coverage, was rejected by the Court of Appeal in October 2024.

The Thirlwall Inquiry and NHS Culture

In response to the case, the government commissioned the Thirlwall Inquiry, a statutory public inquiry examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital and, critically, how concerns raised by clinicians were handled by hospital management. The inquiry, which began hearings in September 2024, has heard extensive testimony about a culture where doctors felt silenced and management prioritised the hospital’s reputation over patient safety.

Evidence presented to the inquiry suggests consultants raised alarms as early as June 2015 but were told by executives “not to make a fuss.” In a shocking development, the doctors were later compelled to write letters of apology to Letby. The inquiry is examining governance failures, whistleblowing processes, and the duty of candour. Its final report is anticipated in early 2026.

The Challenge to the Medical Evidence and the CCRC

A significant new dimension emerged in February 2025. An international panel of medical experts, chaired by retired neonatal care expert Dr Shoo Lee, publicly presented findings that challenged the core medical evidence used in Letby’s prosecution. The panel concluded it found “no evidence of deliberate harm” and that in all cases, death or injury were due to natural causes or substandard care.

This development is central to an application made to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) on Letby’s behalf on 3 February 2025. The CCRC, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, confirmed it had received a preliminary application and that work to assess it had begun. The commission stated the review of such a complex case with a “significant volume of complicated evidence” was likely to take at least a year. The CCRC has the power to refer a case back to the Court of Appeal if it finds new evidence or argument that creates a “real possibility” the conviction would not be upheld.

Key Facts and Timeline

Broader Implications for the NHS

The case has ignited a fierce debate about NHS leadership and culture. Organisations like the British Medical Association (BMA) have argued it “epitomises systemic flaws” and have renewed calls for the regulation of NHS managers, akin to the regulation of doctors and nurses. The case underscores long-standing concerns about whistleblowers being ignored or penalised, and a toxic culture where reputational management can trump patient safety.

In a letter to NHS leaders after the 2023 verdict, NHS England’s chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, emphasised the importance of the Freedom to Speak Up policy and urged boards to ensure staff feel safe to raise concerns. The Letby case is seen as a catalyst for re-examining whether these policies are effectively embedded in the NHS culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current legal status of Lucy Letby’s case?

Lucy Letby is serving a whole-life prison sentence. She has exhausted the normal appeals process, but an application for a review of her convictions is with the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). The CCRC’s investigation is ongoing.

What did the international medical expert panel find?

In February 2025, the panel concluded there was no evidence of murder or deliberate harm in the cases for which Letby was convicted. They attributed the infant deaths and collapses to natural causes or deficiencies in medical care, directly contradicting the prosecution’s medical evidence.

What is the Thirlwall Inquiry investigating?

The statutory public inquiry, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is examining the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Its remit includes how the hospital handled the rising infant mortality, how concerns from clinicians were escalated (or suppressed), and the broader governance and cultural failures that allowed the situation to persist.

Could Lucy Letby be released or get a retrial?

A retrial or release is not imminent. The CCRC must first complete its review, which may take over a year. If the CCRC refers the case back to the Court of Appeal, the court would then decide if the convictions are unsafe, which could potentially lead to a retrial or the convictions being quashed. This process remains uncertain and could take considerable time.

What are the main lessons for the NHS from this case?

The case has highlighted critical failures in NHS culture: the silencing of whistleblowers, the prioritisation of institutional reputation over patient safety, and a lack of accountability for non-clinical managers. It has led to intense scrutiny of speaking-up policies, clinical governance, and calls for systemic reform to ensure clinicians are heard and action is taken on safety concerns.