Lucy Letby's ex-boss suspended from new role as Greater Manchester hospital executive

The former director of nursing at the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered seven babies has been suspended from her current role at one of Greater Manchester's biggest hospital trusts.

Alison Kelly was the chief nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital while nurse Letby killed the babies and attempted to murder six others between June 2015 and June 2016. Ms Kelly's latest role is as a director of nursing at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Salford Royal Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield General Hospital and the Royal Oldham Hospital, before she was suspended.

Nicky Clarke, chief people officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, told the Manchester Evening News: “I can confirm Alison Kelly has been suspended. We are unable to comment any further at this moment in time.”

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An NHS England spokesperson said: "We welcome the independent inquiry announced by the Department of Health and Social Care into the events at the Countess of Chester and will cooperate fully to help ensure all lessons are learned.

"In light of information that has emerged during the trial of Lucy Letby, and the announcement of the independent inquiry, the Northern Care Alliance has suspended Alison Kelly."

The profile about Alison Kelly on Northern Care Alliance's website reads that she has been working as the director of nursing within the section of the trust which covers Rochdale. She was the interim director of nursing at Salford Royal before taking on the Rochdale area.

It comes as Letby was sentenced today (Monday) to a whole life order at Manchester Crown Court. She will never be released from jail.

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