The chair of the inquiry into Lucy Letby's crimes at the Countess of Chester Hospital is seeking feedback from staff in neonatal units across the NHS.

In an update on the Thirlwall Inquiry website, the Chair of the Inquiry, Lady Justice Thirlwall, has announced she is seeking feedback from staff who work within, or in connection with, neonatal units across the NHS.

Midwives, doctors, consultants, nurses and managers are urged to give their views on the culture within their units, by participating in a survey exercise, delivered by the experienced health research charity Picker. The questions will help establish a critical understanding of culture in neonatal units.

Lady Justice Thirlwall said: “I would strongly encourage all of those working in or with NHS neonatal care, who receive the survey, to take the time to complete it. Each response will play an important part in telling the inquiry what people on the ground really think." 

The survey is a part of the wider programme of work informing the inquiry’s investigation into Part C of its terms of reference, considering the effectiveness of NHS governance, external scrutiny and professional regulation in keeping babies in hospital safe and well looked after.

Significant further work is already ongoing to analyse responses of a detailed questionnaire which was sent to every hospital in England with a neonatal unit, completed by both medical and non-clinical directors. The analysis is being undertaken by the Nuffield Trust, an experienced and independent health think tank specialising in health research and policy analysis. This work will provide a detailed understanding of how neonatal units operate across the NHS in England. 

It has not yet been confirmed exactly when or where the Thirlwall Inquiry will take place, but it has previously been stated it will be held somewhere in Chester from September this year.

Lucy Letby, 34, of Hereford, was sentenced to 14 whole life orders last August after she was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others, with two attempts on one of her victims.

The offences took place at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit, where Letby worked as a nurse, between June 2015 and June 2016.

Letby, who has always denied the crimes, has a bid to challenge her convictions due to be considered by the Court of Appeal at a hearing on April 25.

If judges again decline to give permission, it will mark the end of the appeal process for Letby.

If she does receive permission, then the appeal will be heard at a separate hearing at a later date.

Letby is also due to face a retrial at Manchester Crown Court in June on a single count that she attempted to murder a baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children who were the subject of the allegations.