'Cot cams' to be fitted in neonatal units in wake of Lucy Letby killings, vows Yvette Cooper

Cot cameras are set to be fitted in neonatal units in the wake of the Lucy Letby killings, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has vowed.

The announcement comes after the Thirlwall Inquiry was launched in 2023 in the wake of the former nurse’s multiple convictions for murder and attempted murder of infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The findings, which were published today, found that some babies could have been saved from death and harm at the hands of Letby if safeguarding action had been taken earlier.

Responding to the inquiry’s findings, Ms Cooper said she has asked officials to develop plans to install “cot cams” in neonatal units.

She told the Commons: “On safety and reassurance for parents, Lady Justice Thirlwall recommends the introduction of video baby monitors for neonatal units. I agree.

“I have asked my officials to urgently develop plans for cot cams, which can also help parents feel better connected to their babies when they aren’t able to be with them in person.”

Lady Justice Thirlwall said as she published the report: “There was a complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

“This was because no-one seems to have understood that safeguarding action is required when a member of staff is suspected of causing deliberate harm and does not require colleagues to be sure of guilt.

“My report describes dysfunctional management and governance, a gulf between hospital leadership and clinicians, and failure to understand the fundamentals of safeguarding.”

Ms Cooper said it is the Government’s “intention” to publish a full response to the Thirlwall Inquiry within six months.

She said: “Our intention will be to publish the full response within six months and to ensure that we have done so thoroughly as well, and I will discuss this as well further with Lady Justice Thirlwall later this week.”

This came in response to Shadow Health Secretary Damian Hinds, who described the report as “thorough and devastating”.

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He also raised concerns that the system to speak up in the NHS is “uneven” and the Health Bill will abolish the council of governors at NHS trusts and NHS England, leaving whistleblowers few places to turn.

Ms Cooper said the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) will transfer into the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with the “independent role and investigations continuing”.

She added: “I will plan to review the detail of this to ensure that we are meeting the spirit of the inquiry’s recommendation on this, because it is immensely important that we have those arrangements in place.”

She also told MPs: “A revised NHS safeguarding framework was published in April 2026, but I have asked the Chief Nursing Officer to urgently review the framework and the training in the light of this report. We need to look urgently at this.

“But let me be clear: this goes beyond laws and procedures, many of which are already clear. This is about leadership and responsibility.

“Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and safeguarding must be everyone’s priority.

“Concerns must be heard and acted upon. Staff who speak up must be protected and taken seriously, and I expect every leader, every board across the NHS, every professional and manager, every member of staff to uphold their safeguarding responsibilities.

“And I will not hesitate to hold the NHS to account for the highest standards of every level, because at its heart, this is what the NHS stands for: care for patients, and most of all, keeping the most vulnerable patients of all safe.”

Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “Today, as the Thirlwall report is published, our thoughts remain fully with all of the families and the babies who came to harm or who died because of Lucy Letby’s crimes at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016. We recognise the enduring impact on them and the courage and dignity they have shown in ensuring their experiences are heard.

“We know that no apology or action can undo what happened at our hospital. We are however truly sorry for the events that occurred in 2015 and 2016. We acknowledge the findings of the Thirlwall Report and will approach its recommendations with openness and a firm commitment to build on the progress we have already made in improving our hospital’s governance, safety and culture since that time. We are a different organisation today with new leadership, stronger governance and safety processes, and a more open culture where speaking up is encouraged and acted upon. We firmly believe that the changes we have made, as set out in our evidence to the Inquiry, have created a safer environment for our patients and staff.

“We acknowledge however that there is more to be done. We will now carefully consider the entire content of the Thirlwall Report and its recommendations, working with NHS colleagues to embed the learning locally and across the wider NHS. Our priority is to ensure that we address the Thirlwall Report’s recommendations as swiftly as possible, whether through ensuring that actions we have already taken are sustained or by taking further action where needed.

“We recognise the contributions of the families and everyone who gave evidence, including many of our staff. We have cooperated openly and fully with the Thirlwall Inquiry, and we are grateful to Lady Justice Thirlwall and her team for the diligence and care with which they have conducted the Inquiry.

“We are proud of our staff and their commitment to providing high-quality patient care. They are the heart of our organisation, and their professionalism, compassion and resilience are central to the care we provide to patients every day.

“What took place at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 2015 and 2016 and the impact it had on so many people will not be forgotten. We will always remember.”

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