What are the Lucy Letby inquests and why were they adjourned?

They are coroner-led inquests into five babies murdered by Lucy Letby. The coroner opened them, then adjourned to avoid overlap with the Thirlwall public inquiry. Once the inquiry publishes findings, the inquests can resume with clear evidence boundaries and any new recommendations in scope.

What is the Thirlwall public inquiry?

A judge-led investigation into how concerns were handled at the hospital where Letby worked. It reviews escalation systems, leadership decisions, and information sharing. Its report may recommend tighter oversight, stronger reporting, and external checks, which could raise compliance costs but improve patient safety and transparency.

How could this affect NHS governance risk and costs?

Expect more documentation, better incident data, and quicker external reviews. Those steps help reduce severe harm, but they can increase operating costs, extend billing cycles, and push insurance prices higher. Investors should favour providers with strong cash buffers, clear safety metrics, and responsive whistleblowing channels.

Law and Government

February 06: Lucy Letby Inquests Keep NHS Governance Risk in Focus

ByDanny Kontos February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

UK investors are asking: is lucy letby still in prison? Yes. She remains on a whole-life order as a Cheshire coroner opened and then adjourned inquests into five babies. The pause lets the Thirlwall public inquiry report first. We explain why the Lucy Letby inquests matter for NHS governance risk, clinical negligence exposure, and insurance pricing. Expect tighter oversight, richer incident data, and higher compliance costs across GB healthcare. Our focus is on timelines, policy signals, and practical portfolio takeaways.