PUT THE FAILURE BOSSES IN DOCK

Demand for corporate manslaughter probe into chiefs warned of a killer on the wards

- LUCY THORNTON

HOSPITAL chiefs should face a corporate manslaughter investigation for failing to stop killer nurse Lucy Letby, a top medic has said.

Bosses were warned they were harbouring a murderer but did not launch a formal probe until over a year after suspicions were raised in 2015.

Letby could today become only the third woman alive to be handed a whole-life term as she is sentenced for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more at the Countess of Chester hospital.

Britain's most prolific child killer is expected to stay in her cell instead of facing harrowing impact statements from bereaved families at Manchester Crown Court.

The Home Office has given Cheshire Police £5million for an investigation amid fears Letby may have killed more babies.

The probe will study all 4000 neonatal admissions during Letby's four-year career at the Countess of Chester hospital from 2012 to 2016 and at Liverpool Women's Hospital, where she had a training placement.

It is believed up to seven consultants had tried to raise the alarm about her killing spree on the wards.

Dr Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician who gave evidence at her trial, said three of the murders could have been prevented if hospital bosses had acted more urgently.

He said he would write to police calling for a probe into "a number of managerial people".

He told The Observer newspaper: "They were grossly negligent. I think this is a matter that demands an investigation into corporate manslaughter.