Nurse Lucy Letby fainted at work after she and fellow medics could not revive a baby boy, her trial has heard.
The 33-year-old defendant is accused of murdering the newborn triplet on a day shift at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neo-natal unit in June 2016.
She allegedly gave a fatal dose of air to the youngster, referred to in court as Child P, and also one of his brothers, Child O, who died a day earlier.
Letby, originally from Hereford, denies the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of 10 other infants between June 2015 and June 2016.
Manchester Crown Court heard Child P’s condition worsened on 24 June 2016 as he needed CPR on four separate occasions before he was pronounced dead at 4pm.
Letby received a needle prick to her finger during the final resuscitation attempt, jurors were told.
Routine blood checks were required at the hospital A&E department after which Letby fainted.
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She was offered a lift home by a doctor who friends had previously teased her about flirting with.
Facebook message exchanges between the pair were read out in court.
The doctor, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, asked Letby: “Have you been seen yet?”
Letby replied: “Yes just got back. I made a fool of myself whilst there.”
The doctor, who was also involved in the resuscitation efforts, said: “I asked them to be quick for you. How did you make a fool of yourself?”
‘I fainted’
Letby responded: “They said someone had asked for me to been seen asap and they knew what had happened today.
“Everyone talking about it whilst I was there. I fainted.”
The doctor asked: “Oh are you OK now?”
Letby replied: “Bit shaky but OK. Writing my notes. They were reluctant to let me go as on my own.”
The doctor said: “You could have bleeped me. I’m almost a responsible adult!
“Do you need a lift home?”
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After she was dropped off by the doctor at her home address, Letby messaged him: “Thank you for the lift and for talking to A&E.”
The doctor said: “I can’t have you walking back in the dark after a rubbish day, mini needlestick and an A&E faint.”
On 25 June 2016 – when Letby is accused of trying to murder another baby, Child Q, during the morning of a day shift – she messaged the same doctor: “Nice lunch break. Told my mum about needlestick and got a huge lecture about not being careful enough, overworked, doing too much etc.”
The doctor replied: “That’s not what you need. She’ll be concerned that you’re not looking after yourself. Huge lectures aren’t fun are they?”
The trial continues.
