Two senior hospital executives “did not believe” concerns raised by doctors that nurse Lucy Letby could deliberately harm children, according to a public inquiry into her crimes.

The inquest, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, is looking at how Letby was able to kill and attack babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016.

Letby, 34, originally from Hereford, was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill another seven – including a child she tried to kill twice. She is serving 15 life sentences.

The hearing in Liverpool was told that concerns had been raised about sudden and unexplained collapses in babies in 2015 and 2016.

Medical director Ian Harvey and nursing director Alison Kelly were interviewed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) as part of an independent inquiry ordered by the health trust in response to the allegations.

It came after two consultants told the RCPCH review team they were concerned about children’s falls.

The inquest heard they noted the association with Letby’s presence and even went so far as to carry out research into how he could have killed children.

Asked about Mr Harvey’s attitude to those suspicions, review team member Alex Mancini said: “I think his attitude was one of incredulity and I also thought Alison Kelly felt that too.”

Inquest barrister Nicholas de la Poer KC asked her: “Did you get the impression that they were taking the allegations seriously and recognized the seriousness?”

“No,” Ms. Mancini replied.

Fellow reviewer Claire McLaughlan told the hearing she had a “feeling” Mr Harvey did not want to call the police to investigate the matter and recalled Ms Kelly “supporting” Letby.

She agreed that she “rather underestimated” the significance of the information provided by the doctors.

Ms McLaughlan also recalled that there were “lots of claims” that Letby was “scapegoated”.

M. de la Poer asked: “Do you think you have put too much emphasis on it?”

Ms McLaughlan said: “In hindsight, yes.”

The inquest heard that hospital bosses ordered reviews rather than calling the police to investigate the deaths since Letby was moved to clerical duties in July 2016.

Cheshire Police were not brought in to investigate the matter until May 2017.

The investigation continues.