The constabulary launched an investigation into corporate manslaughter at the hospital in October 2023 following the conviction of Lucy Letby.

An initial investigation focused on whether there was any criminality among senior leadership in response to the increased level of fatalities.  

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: ‘As our enquiries have continued, the scope of the investigation has now widened to also include gross negligence manslaughter.

‘This is a separate offence to corporate manslaughter and focuses on the grossly negligent action or inaction of individuals. It is important to note that this does not impact on the convictions of Lucy Letby for multiple offences of murder and attempted murder.

‘Those identified as suspects have been notified. We will not be confirming the number of people involved or their identity as no arrests or charges have yet been made.

‘Both the corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter elements of the investigation are continuing and there are no set timescales for these.

‘Our investigation into the deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neo-natal units of both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women's Hospital between the period of 2012 to 2016 is also ongoing.'

A spokesperson at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘Due to the Thirlwall Inquiry and the ongoing police investigations, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.'

Letby is serving 15 life prison sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016.