Lucy Letby failed nurse placement for being ‘cold’

In her report on Letby in July 2011, Ms Lightfoot found that Letby’s clinical knowledge was “not where it should be”, particularly around medication and correct dosages.

Any student who failed their final placement had the opportunity to repeat it and achieve the competencies they had not achieved, the inquiry heard.

Her next mentor, Sarah Jane Murphy, said she was “conflicted” about passing Letby in light of Ms Lightfoot’s comments but felt she had met the standards required.

Describing Letby as “quiet and shy”, she said: “She didn’t show good interpersonal skills with children, parents, nurses or the wider team.”

She added that Letby “often had quite an expressionless look” which some staff “found awkward”.

The inquiry continues.