Dr. Ravi Jayaram’s raised concerns triggered an investigation that ultimately resulted in a conviction.
ISLAMABAD: In a shocking and distressing incident that has held the attention of the United Kingdom, British nurse Lucy Letby has faced a conviction for the murder of seven newborn babies and attempted murder of six others during her time at Chester Hospital.
Dr. Ravi Jayaram, a UK-born consultant paediatrician, provided vital assistance by initially raising concerns in 2015, leading to Letby’s arrest and subsequent trial, which resulted in the conviction.
At the age of 33 during her conviction, Letby carried out these atrocious deeds by injecting air and insulin into the babies’ bloodstreams, introducing air into their gastrointestinal systems, and administering an excessive amount of milk or fluids through force-feeding.
The police discovered handwritten notes. These notes further revealed her disturbing mindset, with statements such as “I killed them on purpose because I’m not good enough to take care of them” and “I am evil, I did this.”
Dr Ravi Jayaram’s role
Dr. Ravi Jayaram played a pivotal role in bringing Letby to justice.
He initially raised concerns about the alarming number of infant deaths in 2015, when three babies died within a year.
However, it was not until April 2017 that the National Health Service (NHS) trust finally approved doctors to meet with a police officer.
Dr Jayaram recalls, “The police, after listening to us for less than 10 minutes, realized that this is something they had to be involved with. I could have punched the air.” As a result of this, authorities launched a comprehensive investigation , which eventually culminated in the arrest of Letby.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) disclosed that Letby employed various techniques to surreptitiously cause harm to a total of 13 babies in the neonatal ward between 2015 and 2016. According to Pascale Jones from the CPS, “Lucy Letby sought to deceive her colleagues and pass off the harm she caused as nothing more than a worsening of each baby’s existing vulnerability.
In her hands, innocuous substances like air, milk, fluids – or medication like insulin – would become lethal. She perverted her learning and weaponized her craft to inflict harm, grief, and death.“
Jonathan Storer, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, expressed his shock at Letby’s “heartless crimes” and extended his sympathy to the families of the victims. The CPS effectively demonstrated Letby’s role as the common thread linking the series of deaths and sudden collapses in the neonatal unit.
Dr. Ravi Jayaram’s Regret and Letby’s Conviction
Dr. Ravi Jayaram, reflecting on the case, voiced remorse that swift action and police involvement might have saved some lives if concerns about Lucy Letby had been taken seriously. The Cheshire Constabulary, responsible for investigating the case, described it as one of their most challenging, underscoring the painful reality of a trained nurse betraying her entrusted role.
Lucy Letby awaits sentencing at the same court. Her conviction serves as a haunting reminder of the crucial role played by vigilant professionals like Dr. Ravi Jayaram. Their dedication to raising concerns contributed to justice prevailing in this heart-wrenching case.
