I am going to play devils advocate here!
TIMELINE (for reference)
January 2015 to July 2016 - The Countess of Chester Hospital experienced a greater number of deaths in its neo-natal unit than would normally be expected.
August 2016 - the hospital commissioned an independent review by The Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health (RCPCH). The review raised concerns about gaps in medical and nursing rotas, insufficient staffing levels for a level 2 neonatal unit and inadequate arrangements for investigating neonatal deaths.
May 2017 - the hospital contacted Cheshire Police to raise their concerns. Cheshire Police commenced enquiries.
Prior to July 2017 - LL was moved to non-clinical administrative duties (exact date not available)
July 2017 - LL suspended from The Countess of Chester Hospital.
3rd July 2018 - LL was arrested on suspicion of eight murders and six attempted murders. She was interviewed and subsequently bailed.
June 2019 - LL was arrested for a second time. She was also arrested for a further three attempted murders. Once again she was interviewed and bailed.
10th November 2020 - LL was charged with eight murders and nine attempted murders.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that there is no smoking gun. Maybe a significant degree of the circumstantial evidence comes from collective links identifying LL's duties and actions at the material times and medical and forensic evidence which may be subject to different interpretation.
If the links between the alleged offences are a key feature of the evidence, then the time period of thirty-two months, from the police being called in to the charges, may have been necessary to thoroughly investigate each individual offence and to ultimately tip the balance in favour of the CPS authorising the charges.
The neonatal hospital environment is one where death, together with life threatening and limiting conditions and invasive procedures are not uncommon.
The reality of the operational environment along with the departmental concerns highlighted in the RCPCH review, lends the possibility that a nurse doing their job under great pressure, with limited support, could make a series of unintentional minor errors with major consequences. Indeed they may not be aware of their errors as there was poor post incident debrief and little time to reflect in the hot house environment.
I don't doubt the skill, dedication and tenacity of the detectives. However, there are two key factors which make this investigation unusually challenging:
1. The pressurised environment, in terms of specialised life giving care and where death is inevitable
2. The potential for NHS 'management/reputational interests' to come into play
Considering your thoughts that the police must be entirely satisfied about the robustness of their investigation for fear of an outcry if LL is not convicted and the subsequent clamour of 'scapegoat' and 'cover up'.
Would public confidence in the police and the justice system be significantly undermined if a suspect was arrested more than once over a 2 1/2 year investigation and whose name, job role, workplace, residential location and alleged yet highly emotive crimes were identified by the police, and who ultimately was not charged but released with no further action?
Could pressure have been bought to bear upon the CPS by higher powers, beyond the police, to assuage concerns about a significant loss of confidence in the justice system and the NHS being undermined if nothing was seen to be done? Contentious I know, but there are dark arts! With Covid-19 we live in very challenging times where confidence in the NHS, medical science and the rule of law is being questioned every day in the media and on the streets. Disquiet in the functions of state are seen to be 'unhelpful' when dealing with a pandemic.
I sincerely hope that the evidence is compelling beyond all reasonable doubt after being tested thoroughly in court or that LL admits her guilt and explains her actions. Anything less and the wound may always be infected.
Sources:
Timeline of the Chester hospital baby deaths investigation
Hospital probe report after death rate rise for high risk babies
Police investigating baby deaths at Chester hospital rearrest nurse