Letby hospital forced whistleblower out of her job, tribunal rules
A former NHS boss and 'whistleblower' at the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered seven babies was bullied out of her job, an employment tribunal has found.
Dr Susan Gilby became chief executive at the Countess of Chester Hospital in September 2018, two months after Letby was first arrested, the Liverpool tribunal was told.
Dr Gilby, a consultant anaesthetist, told the tribunal that despite navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and improving the running of the hospital, she encountered difficulties when Ian Haythornthwaite, a former BBC accountant, became chairman of its board in 2021.
She claimed she was 'harassed and intimidated' by Mr Haythornthwaite, whom she accused of putting the financial security of the hospital before patient care.
She later 'blew the whistle' about her concerns about him and was suspended before she eventually resigned from her job in 2022.
Now her claim of unfair dismissal has been upheld. Judge Dawn Shotter, who chaired the tribunal, ruled that Mr Haythornthwaite and three other senior figures at the hospital worked together to remove Dr Gilby from her post.
Dr Gilby is expected to be awarded more than £1 million in compensation.
She told the hearing that in 2022 Mr Haythornthwaite launched a 'fierce verbal attack' upon her during which he 'banged his hand on the table' to emphasise things he claimed were 'wrong' with her, according to Mail Online.
She said his alleged behaviour was 'bullying, pure and simple', adding that the board was obsessed with imposing cuts at the hospital which, she felt, compromised patient safety.
At one point, she said, after she returned to work after a period of being signed off with stress, a non-executive director told her it was 'time to go'.
By then, the Letby trial at Manchester Crown Court had begun and she felt it was an inappropriate time to leave. She was formally suspended in December that year.
Dr Gilby said: 'I believe that I was pushed out of a role that I wanted to dedicate the last years of a 30-year unblemished healthcare record to because I had blown the whistle on the controlling and bullying behaviour of the leader of a group of finance specialists, many of whom are still in post at the Countess, and were hell bent on putting finances over patient care.'
Speaking after the tribunal verdict, Dr Gilby said the last few years had been 'nothing short of torture at times', adding: 'My career has been taken from me with no justification and the financial losses we have suffered are significant.'
She added that she had put her 'faith in the judicial system' after refusing to compromise her integrity.
Mr Haythornthwaite, 65, said: 'I have made the decision to step down with immediate effect from my role as chair of the trust.'
A spokesman for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said it acknowledged the outcome of the tribunal and would review the judge's findings.
Letby, 35, was convicted of the murder of seven babies and attempting to murder seven more in the hospital's neo-natal unit between 2015 and 2016.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
33 minutes ago
- Daily Record
NHS urges Tesco shoppers to read important life saving labels in store
The warning comes amid a new collaboration between the NHS and the supermarket giant on Tesco's own brand Luxury Soft toilet rolls. The NHS is encouraging Tesco shoppers to 'keep an eye out' and 'contact your GP practice if something doesn't feel right'. This health warning has been issued as Tesco's own brand-Luxury Soft toilet rolls now feature the NHS logo on the packaging. The collaboration between the NHS and the supermarket giant has been established to increase awareness surrounding bowel cancer among consumers. An NHS post on X, formerly known as Twitter, reads: "Keep an eye out for our logo on @Tesco toilet roll-78.9 million rolls sold and counting!" The initiative serves as a reminder for people to be aware of potential cancer symptoms when going to the bathroom. The NHS emphasises: "It's a reminder for people to look out for possible signs of cancer when going to the loo. Know what's normal for you and contact your GP practice if something doesn't feel right." Printed underneath the NHS logo on the toilet roll is the note: "Finding cancer earlier makes it more treatable and can save lives." Further details are provided on the back of the pack. The packaging also lists warning signs of cancer that may be visible during toilets visits like alterations in stool and the presence of blood. For more detailed information on cancer symptoms, the public is advised to visit the NHS website here. Symptoms of bowel cancer: changes in your stool, such as having softer stool, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you needing to go to the toilet more or less often than usual for you blood in your stool, which may look red or black bleeding from your bottom often feeling like you need to empty your bowels, even if you've just been to the toilet tummy pain a lump in your tummy bloating losing weight without trying feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer Many of these symptoms can be quite common and may also arise from various other health conditions. Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer but it is essential you consult a GP for a check-up if you notice anything abnormal. If cancer is the cause behind your symptoms, early detection may make treatment more manageable. If anyone experiences symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more, they should speak to a medical professional. The NHS reassures: "Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms. "If you notice your poo is black or dark red, or if you're experiencing bloody diarrhoea, it's crucial to seek an urgent GP appointment or get assistance from NHS 111. You can reach out by calling 111 or using the online help available at 111." Cancer can come in over 200 different forms and can affect any part of the body, including organs, blood, bone marrow, and the immune system. Sometimes, cancer can spread from its original site to other parts of the body, a process known as secondary cancer or metastasis. The type of cancer you have will determine the treatment you receive. Common cancer treatments include surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy with drugs that destroy cancer cells, and radiotherapy that uses radiation to target and kill cancer cells. Other treatment options might involve immunotherapy, which boosts your immune system to fight cancer, and hormone therapy, which aims to slow down or stop the growth of cancerous cells. The NHS assures patients: "You'll be looked after by a team of specialists who will work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you."
North Wales Chronicle
36 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three
The changes mean that, from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years. The move has been recommended by the UK National Screening Committee and is based on analysis from King's College London showing five-yearly screening is just as safe as three-yearly, with the same number of cancers found. HPV is a sexually-transmitted group of viruses which cause no symptoms. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of all cervical cancers. As at present, any woman who has HPV or has a recent history of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check the virus has cleared and, if not, to check for cell changes in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
NHS updates cervical screening guidelines with millions of women affected
Women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will be invited to cervical screening every five years instead of every three, under new NHS guidelines. The change, set to take effect next month in England, follows recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee. According to analysis from King's College London, extending the screening interval to five years for HPV-negative women is just as safe as the current three-year interval, with a similar rate of cancer detection. HPV is a sexually transmitted group of viruses, with around 13 high-risk types known to cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. Most people with HPV don't experience any symptoms. Women who test positive for HPV, or have a history of the virus, will continue to be invited for more frequent screenings to monitor the virus and check for any changes to cells in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'
