Devendra Kumar
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has confirmed that it is investigating claims against Alison Kelly, a former director of nursing at the Countess of Chester Hospital and current nursing director at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in Salford. Kelly was suspended from her current role after being accused of ignoring concerns about Lucy Letby, a former nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others between June 2015 and June 2016. Letby was handed a whole-life order at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.
During the trial, it emerged that a number of consultants working with Letby had raised concerns about her association with babies collapsing as early as 2015. However, Kelly was accused of ignoring these concerns and instead, Letby put in a grievance against her employer, which was ruled in her favour. Senior doctors were forced to apologise and attend mediation as a result.
One of the consultants who raised concerns about Letby, Dr Stephen Brearey, has called for NHS managers to be held accountable in the same way that medics are. He suggests that hospital administrators should be subject to regulation, just like doctors and nurses are. Brearey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that senior managers often seem to have no accountability for their actions, and that they are able to move to other trusts without facing consequences.
The British government has announced that it will hold an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Letby’s crimes, in order to ensure that vital lessons are learned. However, Dr Brearey has called for a statutory inquiry, which he believes would provide greater accountability and justice for those involved.
Kelly’s suspension and the NMC’s investigation into her conduct have raised questions about accountability within the NHS. If found fit to practise, Kelly could potentially return to her role, raising concerns about whether she was truly accountable for her actions. The investigation is ongoing, and the NMC will take action if necessary.
The case has also highlighted the importance of whistleblowing within the NHS. Dr Brearey and other consultants who raised concerns about Letby’s behaviour were met with resistance and ultimately, their concerns were ignored. This has resulted in a major scandal that has shaken the public’s trust in the NHS. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against wrongdoing and holding those in power accountable for their actions.
The suspension of Alison Kelly has sparked a wider debate about accountability within the NHS. As the investigation into Kelly’s conduct continues, it is imperative that we learn the lessons from the Letby case and ensure that those in power are held accountable for their actions.