Mark McDonald, the barrister who has represented Lucy Letby for the past two years, has expressed concerns that the recommendations from the public inquiry into her case could foster a culture of blame and suspicion within the NHS. Mr McDonald stated that he is convinced of Letby's innocence, viewing her convictions as a significant miscarriage of justice.
The Thirlwall inquiry, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, delivered its report in mid-September. The report highlighted the need for increased monitoring and surveillance and advocated for a departure from the NHS's long-standing 'no-blame' culture.
Mr McDonald argues that these recommendations risk creating a 'surveillance society' where healthcare professionals fear scrutiny and blame for adverse outcomes. He suggests that patient safety relies on openness, trust, and learning from mistakes, rather than a culture where clinical error, systemic failure, and criminal conduct become blurred.
He also raised concerns about the potential impact on recruitment and retention of staff in demanding environments like neonatal units, where difficult decisions are made under pressure. Mr McDonald believes that staff must feel secure enough to admit mistakes and report near misses for the NHS to be truly safe.