Where is the Countess of Chester Hospital, how many babies’ deaths are being investigated and who is the nurse Lucy Letby?

A WOMAN has been arrested over the murder of eight babies while working at the neo-natal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Here's what we know so far about the case.

Where is the Countess of Chester Hospital?

The Countess of Chester is the main NHS hospital for the city of Chester and its surrounding area.

It was officially opened in 1984 and currently has 625 beds and a 24 hour A&E.

In 2007, the Countess of Chester became the first hospital in the UK to completely ban smoking for both workers and patients.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust also has a 64 bedded Intermediate Care Service at Ellesmere Port Hospital.

The Trust provides a range of medical services to more than 445,000 patients per year, covering Western Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Neston and North Wales.

How many babies' deaths are being investigated?

Cops are investigating the deaths of 17 babies at the hospital between March 2015 and July 2016.

The probe was launched at the neo-natal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital in May last year.

Police have now revealed they are investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 15 non-fatal collapses.

The hospital trust raised the alarm itself following the high number of fatalities during the 16 month period.

Medics launched an internal inquiry after finding the premature babies had collapsed with heart and lung failure but were unusually impossible to resuscitate.

A report later found the babies developed strange blotches on their arms and legs after death.

Experts could not find a cause of death and police were called in to begin investigating in 2017.

Who has been arrested?

A nurse named Lucy Letby was arrested on July 3, 2018, on suspicion of murdering eight babies at the hospital and attempted murder in relation to six babies.

The 28-year-old is currently being quizzed by detectives at a police station in Chester.

Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, said: "As a result of our ongoing enquiries we have today (Tuesday, July 3) arrested a healthcare professional in connection with the investigation.

"We recognise that this investigation has a huge impact on all of the families, staff and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public.

"Parents of all the babies are continuing to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers.

"This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children."

Letby was arrested at her £180,000 home, approximately a mile and a half away from the hospital.

The blonde nurse's arrest has left colleagues stunned as she is regarded as a champion of the children she cares for.

Letby helped a massive fund-raising campaign to build a new £3 million baby unit at the hospital, and has repeatedly spoken about her devotion to her profession since she graduated with a BSc Honours in child nursing in 2011.

Letby's parents John, 72, and Susan, 58, live in Hereford, where she grew up - their home is also being searched.

What has the hospital said?

In a statement, Countess of Chester Hospital medical director Ian Harvey said: "We are continuing to support Cheshire Police with their ongoing investigation.

"Asking the police to look into this was not something we did lightly, but we need to do everything we can to understand what has happened here and get the answers we and the families so desperately want.

"The Countess is now equivalent to a Level 1 Special Care Baby Unit and we are confident the unit is safe to continue in its current form."