Mark Deakin, a 53-year-old diabetes consultant, has died following his dismissal from Alder Hey Children's Hospital for gross misconduct. Deakin was fired after an investigation revealed he maintained an inappropriate relationship with convicted murderer Lucy Letby, exchanging messages about a premature baby she attempted to kill.
The 1,300 Facebook messages and the case of Baby N
The professional downfall of Mark Deakin centered on a massive volume of communication with Lucy Letby. According to the report, an investigation uncovered more than 1,300 Facebook messages between the two, which frequently breached patient connfidentiality. These messages specifically detailed the care of "Baby N," a premature infant with haemophilia whom Lucy Letby was later convicted of trying to murder in June 2016.
This pattern of communication suggests a level of intimacy and shared secrecy that transcends typical professional collaboration. The fact that Mark Deakin continnued to access the medical records of Baby N even after Lucy Letby's conviction points to a fixation that the NHS Trust deemed an irredeemable breach of medical ethics.
Six observational visits and the insulin roadshow
Beyond digital messages, Mark Deakin used his position at Alder Hey Children's Hospital to facilitate Lucy Letby's presence in clinical settings. as reported, Deakin arranged up to six observational visits for Letby at Alder Hey in 2017, allowing her to shadow staff and attend clinics. Most disturbingly, he supported her attendance at a hospital roadshow focused on insulin—the very substance Lucy Letby used to attempt the murder of two of her victims.
This behavior echoes a broader, systemic failure within the healthcare environments where Letby operated. By providing Letby with professional cover and access to specialized medical knowledge while she was already under suspicion at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Mark Deakin effectively shielded a predator from the scrutiny that should have accompanied her movement between facilities.
Nick Johnson KC's claim of a murderous infatuation
The nature of the bond between the doctor and the nurse was a focal point during the legal proceedings against Lucy Letby. Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC told Manchester Crown Court that Mark Deakin was Letby's boyfriend, suggesting a dark psychological motive: that Letby may have harmed infants specifically so that Deakin would be the physician called in to provide emergency assistance.
While Lucy Letby denied a romantic affair, claiming they were merely "best friends," the evidence presented in court—including notes decorated with love hearts and the pet name "sweetie"—painted a picture of an obsession. This dynamic transforms the case from one of professional negligence into a potentially symbiotic relationship where medical crises were manufactured to fuel a romantic fantasy.
From the June 23 dismissal to the July 3 death
The end of Mark Deakin's career came swiftly in early June following a three-day disciplinary hearing. Although Deakin admitted to breaching confidentiality, he denied knowing that Lucy Letby was under suspicion when he organized her visits to Alder Hey. The disciplinary panel rejected this defense and officialy fired him on June 23.
The aftermath of the sacking was immediate and tragic. Relatives reported Mark Deakin missing on June 24,and he was subsequently found collapsed in his car at a retail park approximately 20 miles from his home in Cheshire. He had fallen into an apparent diabetic coma and remained in intensive care until he passed away on July 3 at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside.
The gap between Deakin's denial and the NHS Trust's findings
Despite the conclusion of the disciplinary panel, several specific questions remain regarding Mark Deakin's state of mind. It remains unclear exactly when Deakin first became aware of the "spike in infant deaths" at the Countess of Chester Hospital, and why he continued to facilitate Letby's professional movements despite those red flags.
Furthermore, the report does not clarify if any other staff members at Alder Hey Children's Hospital questioned the legitimacy of the six observational visits Deakin arranged for Letby. Whether Deakin acted as a lone facilitator or if there was a wider culture of deference to his seniority remains an unverified point in the public record.
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