Lucy Letby's involvement in Countess hospital Babygrow appeal

The appeal was launched 10 years ago to build a new neonatal unit at the hospital, and by the end of 2017 had raised more than £2.4 million ahead of a formal planning application, which was approved following on the second attempt in 2018.

As part of the campaign, parents and staff members were featured highlighting the need for a new neonatal unit at the hospital.

Among them was Lucy Letby, who was featured as a 'staff profile' in March 2013 in the initial weeks of the campaign.

Then 23, Letby was asked a few questions about her role in the neonatal unit.

Asked how long she had worked there at that time, she said: "I qualified as a children's nurse from the University of Chester in 2011 and have been working on the unit since graduating.

"I also worked on the unit as a student nurse during my three years of training."

Asked what a typical day in the neonatal unit would involve, Letby replied: "My role involves caring for a wide range of babies requiring various levels of support.

"Some are here for a few days, others for many months and I enjoy seeing them progress and supporting their families.

"I am currently undergoing extra training in order to develop and enhance my knowledge and skills within the Intensive Care area and have recently completed a placement at Liverpool Women's Hospital."

Asked about what a bigger neonatal unit at the hospital would mean, Letby replied: "I hope the new unit will provide a greater degree of privacy and space for parents and siblings."

The Standard's Babygrow Appeal page from 2015, featuring Lucy Letby, as the appeal reached its halfway point in fundraising.

Letby later featured in a celebratory photo for the Babygrow Appeal in August 2015 – after the fundraising had passed the £1.5m mark, and during the time of the indictment Letby was charged with.

At the time, the neonatal unit was said to be caring for about 450 babies a year.

After planning permission was given for the neonatal unit, the improved facility was opened to muted fanfare during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

Funding has since been obtained from the NHS for a new £110 million Women and Children's Building at the hospital, which would include a new neonatal unit.

While it is planned for the current Women and Children's Building to be largely demolished, the current neonatal unit extension would be retained and repurposed.

At the time the plans were submitted, then-Countess of Chester Hospital Trust CEO Dr Susan Gilby said: "Our plans do unfortunately include having to relocate the current neonatal unit to a new section of the Women and Children’s Building to ensure continuity of care and access once the development has been completed.

"We are currently carrying out a full options appraisal of how we can best make use of the current Neonatal Unit. One option, which was suggested by the neonatal team, is to redevelop the unit into a specialist Training and Simulation Unit – both for the Trust’s own staff and practitioners in the wider Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales regions – to further support the development of a culture of safe, effective and compassionate maternity care for our local communities and across the wider system."

Work is now under way on constructing the new Women and Children's Building at the hospital.