Hospitals given two months to put CCTV cameras in neonatal units

Trusts have been told to fit CCTV in neonatal units by the end of November and to “urgently” tell staff and boards that child death protocols cover babies who never leave hospital.

National chief nursing officer Duncan Burton and chief operating officer Sarah-Jane Marsh said in a letter to all local organisations on Tuesday that last week’s inquiry report was a “sobering moment”.

Lady Justice Thirlwall reported on the events surrounding the murder and attempted murder of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust between 2015 and 2016, for which neonatal nurse Lucy Letby was convicted in 2023 and 2024.

The letter said trusts should:

• Install CCTV cameras in neonatal units focused on storage fridges, cupboards or units by 30 November.

• Inform all relevant staff and the board about the Sudden and Unexpected Death in Children protocol by Monday 28 September (if the trust has a neonatal unit).

• Ensure all neonatal units meet requirements for access control and storage of insulin by 31 March 2027.

• Consider the Thirlwall report findings at their next public board meeting.

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Source: HSJ, 23 September 2026