Health Secretary Says Plans for Cot Cameras in Baby Wards Being Developed 'Urgently' After Letby Inquiry

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper told Parliament the report "must be a turning point for the NHS" and said she is "profoundly sorry" for the failures highlighted in Lady Justice Thirlwall's inquiry. Thirlwall found that senior nurses at the hospital refused to accept a consultant's concerns about Letby, and criticised a "prolonged delay by senior managers in calling the police," which did not occur until May 2017—around a year after the death of baby P in June 2016.

The inquiry also found a complete failure at all levels to invoke safeguarding procedures at any point. While investigating clinical explanations for deaths and collapses was not inappropriate, safeguarding steps should have been taken once there was suspicion that Letby may be causing deliberate harm. Cooper announced plans to develop cot cameras in baby wards as part of the response to the inquiry's findings.