Two individuals have been apprehended on suspicion of improprieties in the management of mortuary services within a hospital trust involved in what has been labeled as the largest maternity scandal in the history of the NHS.
The arrests occurred shortly before the release of a significant report on deficiencies at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, scrutinizing over 2,500 cases concerning mothers and infants who experienced fatalities or serious injuries.
Nottinghamshire Police disclosed that the two men, aged 55 and 59, were taken into custody on Monday regarding operational procedures within the trust’s mortuary service. NUH oversees mortuary operations at Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital under authorization from the Human Tissue Authority.
A statement from Nottinghamshire Police indicated that the enforcement actions were conducted by Operation Perth, the police’s investigation into maternity services at the hospitals. Operation Perth unveiled violations of the Human Tissue Act regulations pertaining to the management and practices of the mortuary services.
Nottinghamshire’s deputy chief constable, Rob Griffin, expressed understanding that this development might be distressing for affected families. The disclosure of these arrests closely precedes the independent maternity review led by Donna Ockenden, which is anticipated to bring forth challenging times for families.
The upcoming report by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, set for publication on Wednesday 22, is expected to outline severe deficiencies in maternity care at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital, including instances of racism towards mothers. It will delve into over 2,500 cases involving infant and maternal fatalities or injuries, including stillbirths under the care of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The trust has already compensated families with substantial amounts and faced penalties following legal prosecution over substandard care. A corporate manslaughter inquiry was initiated by Nottinghamshire Police last year as part of a broader criminal investigation into maternity shortcomings at the trust.
The General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council are also looking into allegations concerning individual staff members. Prior to the report’s release, the Nottingham Maternity Families Group urged former PM Keir Starmer to commission a statutory public inquiry into maternity care nationwide.