Cot cameras are set to be fitted in neonatal units in the wake of the Lucy Letby killings, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has vowed.
The announcement comes after the Thirlwall Inquiry was launched in 2023 in the wake of the former nurse’s multiple convictions for murder and attempted murder of infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The findings, which were published today, found that some babies could have been saved from death and harm at the hands of Letby if safeguarding action had been taken earlier.
Responding to the inquiry’s findings, Ms Cooper said she has asked officials to develop plans to install “cot cams” in neonatal units.
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She told the Commons: “On safety and reassurance for parents, Lady Justice Thirlwall recommends the introduction of video baby monitors for neonatal units. I agree.
“I have asked my officials to urgently develop plans for cot cams, which can also help parents feel better connected to their babies when they aren’t able to be with them in person.”
Lady Justice Thirlwall said as she published the report: “There was a complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
“This was because no-one seems to have understood that safeguarding action is required when a member of staff is suspected of causing deliberate harm and does not require colleagues to be sure of guilt.
“My report describes dysfunctional management and governance, a gulf between hospital leadership and clinicians, and failure to understand the fundamentals of safeguarding.”
Ms Cooper said it is the Government’s “intention” to publish a full response to the Thirlwall Inquiry within six months.
She said: “Our intention will be to publish the full response within six months and to ensure that we have done so thoroughly as well, and I will discuss this as well further with Lady Justice Thirlwall later this week.”
This came in response to Shadow Health Secretary Damian Hinds, who described the report as “thorough and devastating”.
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He also raised concerns that the system to speak up in the NHS is “uneven” and the Health Bill will abolish the council of governors at NHS trusts and NHS England, leaving whistleblowers few places to turn.
Ms Cooper said the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) will transfer into the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with the “independent role and investigations continuing”.
She added: “I will plan to review the detail of this to ensure that we are meeting the spirit of the inquiry’s recommendation on this, because it is immensely important that we have those arrangements in place.”
She also told MPs: “A revised NHS safeguarding framework was published in April 2026, but I have asked the Chief Nursing Officer to urgently review the framework and the training in the light of this report. We need to look urgently at this.
“But let me be clear: this goes beyond laws and procedures, many of which are already clear. This is about leadership and responsibility.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and safeguarding must be everyone’s priority.
“Concerns must be heard and acted upon. Staff who speak up must be protected and taken seriously, and I expect every leader, every board across the NHS, every professional and manager, every member of staff to uphold their safeguarding responsibilities.
“And I will not hesitate to hold the NHS to account for the highest standards of every level, because at its heart, this is what the NHS stands for: care for patients, and most of all, keeping the most vulnerable patients of all safe.”
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