UK - Nurse Lucy Letby Faces 22 Charges - 7 Murder/15 Attempted Murder of Babies #3

[Legally Bland]

I have to go out now if anyone else is able to do updates. If not I'll post them when I get chance.

 

[May72031]

Nearly a week into this potentially six-months long trial, and I'm feeling mentally tired reading about it. And I'm at home, comfy and sitting on a sofa.

Goodness knows what the jurors and the parents of the babies are enduring. Heart goes out to them.

 

[Marantz4250b]

Nearly a week into this potentially six-months long trial, and I'm feeling mentally tired reading about it. And I'm at home, comfy and sitting on a sofa.

Goodness knows what the jurors and the parents of the babies are enduring. Heart goes out to them.

It's clearly taking a toll on the jury as two have already gone. Although that could be for a variety of reasons.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:10pm

The afternoon session is about to begin in the Lucy Letby trial.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:14pm

Dr Dewi Evans is being asked about medical terms, such as 'air embolism', apnoea, blood gases, capilliary, and medical equipment.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:16pm

A video is now being presented to the court showing what a cannula is, and a demonstration of how it is administered to a patient.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:22pm

A video is now explaining what happens in 'neopuffing', more crudely known as 'bagging' of patients, "one of the most important pieces of equipment" in a neonatal unit, which can give artificial breaths to a baby.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:23pm

There is a dial which can deliver varying amounts of oxygen, from 21% (air) to 100%.
The pressure can also be altered depending on the prematurity of the babies, "to help open their lungs".

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:24pm

The neopuff machines are checked "once each shift" by neonatal staff.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:26pm

The video played to the court shows a demonstration of a neopuff machine, with the mask being attached to a dummy baby's nose and mouth.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:27pm

'Five inflation breaths', each for three seconds at a time, are given to babies with breathing difficulties or for babies who have collapsed.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:30pm

The neopuff machine can also be applied to intubated babies, as the video demonstrates.
A second video, titled 'neopuff consumables', is played to the court demonstrating additional equipment.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:35pm

The process of getting 'aspirates' from the stomach, via a naso-gastric tube, is also explained to the court.
Dr Dewi Evans says it is important for the stomach to be empty, prior to a next feed for a baby, as the presence of milk aspirate could suggest problems with that child.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:39pm

The video demonstrates that any aspirate found has a 0.5ml sample checked for pH levels.
Dr Evans explains the syringe used is purple in colour - it is a syringe only used for naso-gastric tube, and cannot be used for IV feeds - you cannot be used to inject milk into a vein, for example, as the shape is different.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:44pm

The video played to the court says action can be taken by medical staff to withdraw air from the baby's tummy if the abdomen becomes distended.
Dr Evans says 'free drainage' means the naso-gastric tube (NGT) is left in the stomach, the other end is left open, so if any air is in the stomach, it can escape through the NGT.

 

[Marantz4250b]

I was thinking a lot last night about the decision of the court to release the note. The more I think about it the more surprised I am by it. To be honest I'm quite shocked and a little alarmed about it.

A court choosing to release evidence during the course of a trial is, as far as I'm aware, unprecedented in Britain. Moreover, it was done at an extremely early stage. You could say that it isn't even evidence yet as it is only something which the prosecution has mentioned in it's opening statement.

The note has not been tested in court, by which I mean, there has been no critical examination of it by the defence as they have had no opportunity to question when it was written; where it was written; why it was written; under what conditions it was written or, indeed, the mental state of LL when she wrote the various parts of it.

What would the situation be if at some point three months down the line some question as to the nature or validity of that evidence were raised and it was decided that the prosecution were not going to/could not use that item for whatever reason? How could that not be considered as anything other than highly prejudicial to a fair trial?

At the point at which is was released we were three days into a potential six month trial and we are already two jury members down. There is a very reasonable chance that this trial may have to be abandoned at some point, perhaps after several months, and a new one started. How could any future court consider such evidence not to be potentially highly prejudicial to a fair trial when it has been raked over in the public domain for weeks and weeks?

We are constantly reminded of potentially severe penalties for publishing things which could amount to Contempt of Court and, hence, could prejudice the administration of justice. Yet, it almost seems like the Court itself is doing precisely the things the law is saying should not be done!

I've said on several occasions that this whole story has been one mind blowing surprise after another - I do wonder what on earth the next one is going to be!

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:52pm

The court is now hearing the definition of the term 'NEC', pronounced as 'neck' "in the business", a gastro-intestinal disease in the small intestine.
Dr Evans says the causes can be poor blood flow, as a result of infection. Sometimes it can appear "without being sure why".
"The sicker the baby, the greater the risk," Mr Evans tells the court.
Other symptoms are 'a bit' of adominal distension, bile aspirates and blood in the stool. Early diagnosis is important to lower the need for surgery.
The prosecution says NEC will be referred to a lot in the course of the trial.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:53pm

"Doctors, if they suspect NEC, start treatment immediately" - even if they are not 100 per cent sure of a diagnosis, Dr Evans adds.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:55pm

One of the reasons for this is some of the babies may not "tolerate" surgery.
The court hears NEC is a "serious" medical emergency.
The prosecution says if symptoms are detected, they treat swiftly.
"And properly," Dr Evans adds.

 

[Whitehall 1212]

2:58pm

Different types of rashes are discussed, in particular a purpuric rash where if you press on the skin, the rash does not fade.
It is associated with sepsis, or blood clotting, and is a "serious medical problem".