Lucy Letby: Baby was stable the day before she died, jury told

A senior doctor has told jurors at Lucy Letby’s murder trial that a baby was “making good progress” and clinically “stable” the day before she died.

It is alleged nurse Ms Letby injected air into the bloodstream of the baby, known as Child D, at the Countess of Chester Hospital in June 2015.

She is accused at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others at the hospital between 2015 and 2016.

Ms Letby, 32, denies 22 charges.

Dr Sarah Rylance, who was previously a registrar at the Countess of Chester Hospital, told jurors she was “happy” with Child D’s clinical condition.

Dr Rylance, who was on shift the day before Child D’s death, said the infant had “a very satisfactory day” on 21 June 2015 and was improving, in good colour and not needing oxygen support.

“She had shown good improvement from the condition when I first saw her on the neonatal unit the previous evening”, she said.

But when later pressed by Ben Myers KC, defending Ms Letby, Dr Rylance did agree that Child D was an “unwell baby”.

Mr Myers summarised for the court that Child D’s mother had her waters break 60 hours before giving birth, that Child D was, at birth, “floppy” and at risk of collapse.

He also noted how she required breathing support on a ventilator at one point.

Addressing Dr Rylance, Mr Myers said rather than being “normal”, there was quite a lot “abnormal” with Child D.

Dr Rylance agreed that Child D was “not a healthy baby at this point in time”.

Mr Myers went on to say that infection was a “leading cause” in neonatal deaths and can “develop very quickly” and that antibiotics should be provided within an hour of birth.

Dr Rylance responded: “There are different guidelines on whether babies should receive antibiotics, with clinical risk factors.

“When you have concerns, then you want the antibiotics as soon as possible.”

Mr Myers said Child D was not given antibiotics until nearly four hours after birth.

“You may not be responsible, but that falls below the standard of care for a new-born baby, doesn’t it?”, he said.

“Yes,” Dr Rylance responded.

A court order bans the reporting of the identities of the children allegedly attacked by Ms Letby, while identifying parents or witnesses connected with the children is also not allowed.

The trial continues.

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