12:39pm
Notes from the May 11 meeting include the comments “absolute no issues with nurse” and “circumstantial”.
Dr Brearey said: “I highlighted that there seemed to be a disproportionately high number of sudden unexpected collapses. We had reviewed care on multiple occasions, including with an external neonatologist, and the only common theme was the association with [Letby] being on duty. We needed guidance and help on how to take this forward. I also made it clear these were concerns of my colleagues and were not mine in isolation.”
Ms Kelly described Ms Powell being vociferous at this meeting, saying that there were no issues with Letby whatsoever. Dr Brearey gives a similar account, noting that: “Eirian Powell was very defensive of [Letby] at the meeting.”
Mr Harvey recalled of the meeting: "The tone of the meeting was calm and I don’t recall anyone being aggravated or forthright about a concern about Letby."
12:41pm
Ms Langale KC tells the inquiry: "This is an important meeting and the inquiry will be examining closely the accounts from different witnesses about what was said, what was decided and upon what basis.
"Whether deliberate harm had been caused to babies by the nurse they had identified as having an opportunity to do so could only be understood by detailed, forensic investigation and medical analysis of deaths and collapses on the unit.
"Instead of ensuring that in-depth analysis was undertaken, however, the focus appears to have rested upon the superficial - why Letby was present ('the hours she worked'), what staff may have thought of her at the time, and the fact that coincidences can (and clearly do) occur."
Mr Harvey said: "…we were dealing with a spike in deaths on the NNU which were unexplained despite thorough review, and ...we were reassuring Dr Brearey we, the Executives, were aware and supported the actions being undertaken by the clinical team.
"At no stage during this meeting did I feel that it was being reported because there was worry that Letby was responsible for the deaths.
"Based on the information provided at the meeting, there was nothing at all to justify an immediate suspension of Letby.
"Had I been told that she had been seen doing anything that compromised the safety of any patient or that there was evidence of potential intentional harm being caused to any of the babies I would have immediately moved to have her suspended from the unit.”
12:42pm
Ms Kelly recorded in her notes of this meeting at the time that the Action Plan which was agreed was that a review would be conducted of any further babies who suddenly collapsed or deteriorated; to conduct a further deep dive into neonatal deaths which had taken place during the night and have a follow up meeting in July.
Ms Kelly’s notes are in contrast to Dr Brearey’s recollection that other than meeting again in 2 months, there seemed no actions from the meeting. Dr Brearey has told the inquiry he felt that the response from Mr Harvey and Ms Kelly was inadequate.
12:43pm
Dr Brearey sent an email on May 16, 2016 to his fellow paediatric consultants.
He wrote: "If you do come across a baby who deteriorates suddenly or unexpectedly or needs resuscitation on NNU, please could you let me and Eirian know. We will keep a record of these cases and review them as soon as practicable.”
According to Ms Powell’s interview, given as part of Letby’s grievance process, there was an urgent care meeting on May 16, 2016, at which Dr Brearey intimated that he thought a member of staff was causing the increase in mortality.
It was at this meeting there was allegedly reference to there being “a murderess on the neonatal unit.”
12:45pm
The inquiry is now adjourning for a lunch break, after a lot of ground has been covered this morning.
Live: Thirlwall inquiry into Lucy Letby baby deaths case begins
