Home / Crime and Justice / Statisticians Dispute BBC's Damning Claims Against Nurse Lucy Letby
Statisticians Dispute BBC's Damning Claims Against Nurse Lucy Letby
16 Aug
Summary
- BBC program mixed up "working" and "ventilated" shifts, leading to inflated dislodged tube rates
- Statisticians call for correction and apology from BBC over "seriously erroneous information"
- Letby was supervised during shifts and passed her placements at Liverpool Women's Hospital
According to the latest developments, statisticians have challenged the BBC's portrayal of nurse Lucy Letby's record, claiming the Panorama program presented inaccurate information. The BBC had reported that tubes were dislodged in 40% of Letby's 50 shifts at the neonatal unit, suggesting she was either "spectacularly bad" or "acting maliciously."
However, experts have now revealed that the BBC mixed up "working" shifts with "ventilated" shifts. Accounting for the actual number of ventilated shifts, the dislodged tube rate was around 4%, only slightly higher than the normal rate. Dr. Jane Hutton, a professor of statistics, has called for a correction and apology from the BBC, stating the journalists "broadcast seriously erroneous information."
The BBC has acknowledged the inaccuracy, saying it has updated the documentary on iPlayer to reflect the correct figures. The inquiry also heard that Letby was supervised throughout her shifts at the Liverpool hospital and had passed both her placements, with her clinical competence being monitored by assigned mentors.
As the investigation into Letby's case continues, the focus now shifts to ensuring accurate reporting and analysis of the evidence, rather than relying on misleading statistics.
