Doctor Regrets Not Reporting Letby Sooner

Dr. Ravi Jayaram, a consultant paediatrician, expressed regret during the Thirlwall inquiry regarding his failure to report concerns about nurse Lucy Letby sooner, after witnessing her with a baby girl whose breathing tube was dislodged. He admitted to feeling discomfort but hesitated to speak up due to fears of not being believed, ridicule, and accusations of bullying. Despite realizing Letby might have been causing harm, he prioritized resuscitating the infant instead of alerting authorities at the time. Jayaram's testimony highlights a broader issue within the hospital's culture that may have delayed action against Letby, who was later convicted of multiple murders and attempted murders of newborns. He acknowledged that he and his colleagues struggled to confront the possibility that Letby posed a serious threat, contributing to a delay in necessary intervention. The inquiry aims to understand the failures in the response to Letby's actions, emphasizing the need for accountability and prompt reporting in medical settings.