Health

Pembrokeshire links to Chester Hospital CEO in centre of Lucy Letby row

Published

1 year ago

August 20, 2023

THE SHOCKING case of Lucy Letby, a nurse found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others, has resonated across the medical community. This national scandal has taken a local twist with revelations of its ties to Pembrokeshire.

Tony Chambers, who once held a key position at Hywel Dda health board, and was often based at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, moved on to become the Chief Executive at Countess of Chester Hospital around February 2013. Chambers was at the helm during the harrowing incidents involving Letby. According to the Guardian, he had directed senior doctors to apologise to Letby in 2017, even amidst ongoing concerns over her actions. These apologies were premised on two external reviews which did not specifically delve into Letby’s involvement in the infant deaths.

**Lucy Letby: Found guilty of murdering seven babies**

Back in 2010, as the director of planning, performance, and delivery, Tony Chambers initiated the downgrading of Withybush hospital. A leaked document from the Hywel Dda Health Board outlined long-term plans to remove histopathology from Withybush. Addressing this leaked information, Chambers stated that the report had been commissioned in light of increasing concerns regarding the “fragility” of the histopathology service. He remarked, “There is an issue around the safety and sustainability of that service. All you’ve got is a report with a range of options and a few recommendations but there’s no process around decision making, around a preferred option. We’ve tried to explain to you that safety and quality is our bottom line, but irrespective of all of that, your concern is that something is moving out.”

In 2012, autopsy and cellular pathology services were shifted from Withybush Hospital to Carmarthen. The local press acquired a document detailing the proposal to merge Cellular Pathology Laboratory and Autopsy Services. This report suggested the transfer of cellular pathology laboratory resources from Withybush to Glangwili and centralising all autopsies at the latter location. Chambers, who was instrumental in this decision, cited the need to address safety concerns. He stated, “The community health council has been fully briefed and we are currently engaging with staff and no decisions have been made.”

**Lucy Letby: Sent sympathy card to parents of baby she ‘murdered’, court told**

Furthermore, The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that Tony Chambers left his latest position with a hefty pension, estimated at £1 million. Subsequently, he held several other lucrative positions within the NHS.

The revelations of senior doctors being asked to extend apologies and express trust, particularly when suspicions loomed large, portrays a concerning picture. Chambers appears central to this narrative, with his decisions from both his tenure in Pembrokeshire and at Countess of Chester coming under the scanner.

Throughout the trial we heard that Lucy Letby’s colleagues were ordered to apologise to her after repeatedly raising concerns that the nurse may have been behind a series of unexplained baby deaths.

Senior doctors had warned for months that Letby was the only staff member present during the sudden collapses and deaths of a number of premature babies on the Countess of Chester hospital’s neonatal unit.

She was not removed from the ward until early July 2016, a year after a doctor first alerted a hospital executive to a potential link. By that time she had murdered seven babies and attempted to kill another six, a court found on Friday.

The Countess of Chester hospital NHS foundation trust is facing serious questions about how it responded to concerns raised about Letby and whether it should have acted sooner.

Hospital executives ordered a formal review into the spike in deaths in June 2016, a year after Letby’s killings began. Letby was removed from the unit the following month, and the police were not contacted for almost another year after that.

After the conclusion of the 10-month trial, a Guardian investigation based on new documents, interviews with hospital consultants and reporting from the trial, has found that: According to two consultant paediatricians, in July 2016 a hospital executive said contacting the police would damage the hospital’s reputation and turn the neonatal unit into a crime scene, after one senior doctor recommended bringing in criminal investigators.

As stated, Tony Chambers’ apology was ordered on the basis of two external reviews, which executives felt exonerated Letby. However, neither review was designed to examine whether she, or any other member of staff, was responsible for the deaths and both recommended that several deaths be investigated further. Doctors were told in early 2017 that Letby’s parents had threatened to refer them to the General Medical Council after her removal from the unit, according to internal documents.

While the grim events at Countess of Chester are a national tragedy, for Pembrokeshire residents, they also signify the need for introspection, especially given Chambers’ connection to local medical decision-making.

CONCERNS IN NORTH WALES

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS, has called for a statement and assurances from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in the wake of the Lucy Letby trial.

Letby, who worked as a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more in a trail that ended this week.

Commenting on the issue, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said:

“This is a devasting and shocking case which is causing a great deal of alarm in North Wales.

“Maternity services at the Countess of Chester Hospital have been used by many mothers from North East Wales over many years. So, it is vital that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board makes a statement about when it was altered to concerns about baby deaths at the Countess of Chester and whether pregnant women from North Wales continued to be referred to the hospital after that date.”

“The people of North Wales need these assurances from the Health Board and the Welsh Government’s Health Minister, given that the NHS in North Wales was in special measures at the time that concerns were raised.”

He added: “We also need to know what action is being taken to ensure that there is full disclosure of such concerns in the future when cross border healthcare arrangements are in place between one NHS body and another to ensure that patients are protected from unsure risk of harm.”

Community

Milford Haven mum gives birth to triplets amid medical emergency

Published

17 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PREGNANCY is often a challenging experience, but for Ellie Davies from Milford Haven, it became even more stressful when she found herself facing a 140-mile round trip away from home during labour.

Ellie was initially admitted to Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital with pre-eclampsia, a condition causing dangerously high blood pressure. However, due to a lack of available neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, staff arranged her transfer to Singleton Hospital in Swansea, nearly 30 miles away. Thankfully, accommodation was also provided onsite for her fiancé, Craig Butland.

RENAL FAILURE COMPLICATIONS
Ellie explained: “I had pre-eclampsia and was taken to Glangwili. My blood pressure was going up and down, and they had to ring around hospitals with a NICU to see if they had any spare beds – Singleton was the only one with space.”

On November 12, Ellie was transferred to Swansea, where she remained on the antenatal ward. However, her condition worsened. “On Sunday 17, my kidneys became affected by the pre-eclampsia, and I was going into renal failure,” she said.

In the early hours of Monday, November 18, Ellie underwent an emergency C-section, delivering triplets Mia, Isla, and Elsie two months prematurely.

BRIEF FIRST MEETING
“I only met Isla, the middle triplet, for around two minutes before she was taken to neonatal to be with her sisters,” Ellie shared.

Mia was born weighing 2lb 9oz, Isla at 2lb 10oz, and Elsie at 2lb 8oz. All three girls initially required breathing support and spent nine days in the NICU. Now, over three pounds each, they are receiving care at Glangwili’s special care unit and are reportedly “doing really well.”

SUPPORT FROM NHS STAFF
Reflecting on their experience, Ellie praised the hospital staff: “The midwives Louise and Emily were amazing, answering every question we had and supporting us through everything. Dr Sree Nittur, who was there during the delivery, followed up daily. The neonatal nurses were absolutely fantastic, and we can’t thank them enough for their care and dedication.”

A PLACE TO STAY
For Craig, the availability of accommodation at Cwtsh Clos, a row of five houses on the Singleton Hospital site, was a significant relief. Without it, he would have faced daily commutes between Milford Haven and Swansea.

“Craig spent a week in Cwtsh Clos, and I joined him for the final night,” Ellie said. “It was a huge help having Craig so close. It’s one problem you don’t have to think about, and it gives you a space to gather your thoughts.”

The couple is now supporting Swansea Bay Health Charity’s Cwtsh Clos appeal, which aims to raise £160,000 to refurbish the homes for future families in similar situations.

‘TRIPLETS ARE A RARITY’
Lisa Harris, interim matron for neonatal services, said: “We are delighted to hear the girls are doing well. Cwtsh Clos allows parents to stay close to their babies, which is so important during such critical times.”

NICU consultant Kate Burke added: “Triplets are a rarity for us. We serve families across south central and south west Wales, and often, we’re the unit they turn to when pregnancies are more complicated. It’s wonderful to see families like Ellie and Craig’s returning home with their babies healthy and thriving.”

The family recently celebrated their first Christmas together with Mia, Isla, and Elsie, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all who supported them through their journey.

Support the Cwtsh Clos Appeal: Donations can be made via the Swansea Bay Health Charity website.

(Pic: Swansea Bay University Health Board)

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

3 days ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Health

Hywel Dda urges responsible use of ‘under pressure’ A&E service

Published

1 week ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board is appealing to the public to carefully consider how they access healthcare services as local A&E units, including Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, face increasing pressure.

A spokesperson said: “Our services are under pressure. Please help us to help you by choosing how you access our services carefully, ensuring that emergency departments (A&E) are reserved for urgent or life-threatening care needs.”

Unwell and unsure what to do?

If you’re unwell and uncertain about the best course of action, the Health Board recommends visiting the online symptom checker or calling NHS 111 Wales for advice.

When to attend A&E

Emergency Departments should only be used for life-threatening illnesses or serious injuries, such as:

Severe breathing difficulties
Severe pain or bleeding
Chest pain or suspected stroke
Serious trauma injuries (e.g., from a car crash)

Minor Injuries Units (MIUs)

For less serious injuries, MIUs offer treatment for:

Minor wounds, burns, or scalds
Insect bites
Minor limb, head, or face injuries
Foreign bodies in the nose or ear

MIUs are available at Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, Tenby Hospital, and main acute hospitals. Visit the Minor Injuries Unit page for opening hours and directions.

Urgent care, not an emergency

For urgent health needs that cannot wait but are not emergencies, call NHS 111 Wales for advice or access to out-of-hours GP services. This free service is available 24/7.

Mental health support

If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 Wales and select option 2 to speak with a mental health professional. The number is free to call, even from a mobile with no credit.

Community care options

Community pharmacies offer walk-in services for common ailments such as sore throats, hay fever, and conjunctivitis. A full list of ailments and participating pharmacies can be found on the Common Ailments Service pages.

Helping reduce hospital stays

The Health Board emphasizes the importance of reducing hospital stays to ensure acute care is available for those who need it most. If a loved one is ready to be discharged, families are urged to collect them promptly to free up beds for other patients.

For more information on the inpatient experience, visit the Inpatient Information pages.

A thank you from the NHS

The Health Board expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation: “Your support not only helps you and your loved ones but also eases the strain on NHS and social care services.”

For further updates, contact:
Hywel Dda University Health Board Media Office
Email: [email protected]