The lawyers of convicted child killer Lucy Letby have raised doubts over the credibility of a Guernsey doctor who was a key witness in her trial.

Letby is a former neonatal nurse who was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill more between 2015 and 2016 while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital in England.

The trial hinged heavily on medical expert evidence, including detailed analysis of how the babies died or collapsed.

Dr Sandie Bohin, a consultant paediatrician in Guernsey, was brought in as an expert witness for the trial.

She peer-reviewed reports, gave independent medical opinions on whether the babies’ collapses were unnatural, and explained neonatal care to the jury.

The consultant paediatrician and neonatologist has worked for the Medical Specialist Group since 2009. She was also the island’s ‘safeguarding lead’ until 2021.

Letby’s legal team has cited complaints made by several families in Guernsey to raise questions about Dr Bohin’s credibility as part of an appeal bid.

These complaints relate to her handling of safeguarding and clinical concerns in the island’s paediatric services.

Letby’s lawyers argue that scrutiny of Dr Bohin’s professional conduct could be relevant in reviewing the reliability of her trial testimony.

While none of the complaints made by the Guernsey families have been formally upheld, they have become a focus in discussions about Letby’s appeal.

The renewed attention on these complaints has placed Dr Bohin under intense public and professional scrutiny, she has said.

It emerged this week that Dr Bohin will stand down from her work in the island next year, earlier than planned.

The consultant paediatrician has told her bosses that she intends to retire in March.

Medical Specialist Group chair Dr Steve Evans said recruitment has already started to replace her.

He said: “I was very sad to hear that Sandie was retiring earlier than she had intended. But I understand why she has made that decision. The island will lose a highly skilled and caring paediatrician and neonatologist. We are recruiting now for her successor.

“Our priority is, and always will be, the high-quality care of children and all our patients. As doctors, we work to clear legal and professional standards, guided by a strong duty of care – especially in matters of safeguarding and safety.

“We remain focused on delivering safe, compassionate care and upholding the standards our community deserves.”

Dr Evans has also claimed that an ongoing conflict between Dr Bohin and Deputy Gavin St Pier – who first raised concerns around the consultant’s work in 2022 – has jeopardised safeguarding in Guernsey.

This conflict will also be the focus of a States of Guernsey debate next week.

Deputy St Pier is facing a 25-day suspension after the majority of a complaint Dr Bohin made earlier this year was upheld.

The politician was found guilty of breaching the States Members’ Code of Conduct after he confirmed the number of complaints he had received about Dr Bohin in a telephone call with a national newspaper journalist earlier this year.

Ahead of the debate, Dr Bohin said: “The past few years have been extremely difficult, both personally and professionally, but I have remained deeply committed to providing safe, compassionate and evidence-based care for the children and families of this island.

“I am grateful to my colleagues and to the community for their trust and continued support.

“As an expert witness in a high-profile case such as Lucy Letby’s, you expect scrutiny and challenge. I am comfortable with the scrutiny that the role attracts.

“It is the unrelenting personal vilification and harassment from within the island that has caused me and my family stress and upset.

“This ultimately led to my decision to retire from my post earlier than I had planned.”