Manslaughter probe launched into scandal-hit NHS trust where hundreds of babies died or were injured
A hospital trust at the centre of a maternity scandal is now being investigated for corporate manslaughter, police said today.
Dozens of babies died or suffered serious injury at the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, both run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The trust is currently the subject of the largest-ever maternity review, which is being led by independent midwife Donna Ockenden, who is examining more than 2,000 cases of neonatal deaths, stillbirths and harm to mothers and babies.
Nottinghamshire Police launched a criminal investigation in September 2023 and on Monday said it had now formally commenced an investigation into corporate manslaughter after reviewing more than 200 'family folders'.
It said it was looking at whether the trust had been 'grossly negligent in the management of its activities'.
Det Supt Matthew Croome, who is leading the investigation named Operation Perth, said corporate manslaughter 'relates to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death'.
He said: 'In such an investigation we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals and my investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence.
'In order to deliver a fair, impartial and objective investigation, I have informed the trust of these facts, and this is a decision I've taken based on the progress we have made within Operation Perth so far.'
The force said its investigation into deaths and serious injuries related to NUH's maternity care had seen more than 200 family cases referred to it so far and it expected to look at 2,500 in total.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin due to the 'scale and complexity' he expected it to take a 'considerable length of time' for the force to complete the investigation.
The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of the trust said the corporate manslaughter investigation 'is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability'.
Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both used to work for the trust until their daughter Harriet died in 2016, said: 'Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH.
'This investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability.
'A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today.
'We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others.
'We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered.'
In a statement, the Nottingham affected families group said the probe was 'welcome' but added that 'no investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering'.
Their statement read: 'Today's announcement is one of mixed emotions.
'We wholeheartedly welcome and support the investigation into corporate manslaughter at NUH.
'It is also tinged with sadness that it has taken so many tragedies for this investigation to have been opened.
'Over many years families have repeatedly raised concerns over maternity safety, only to be ignored and turned away.
'Had our concerns been listened to and acted upon, lives could have been saved.
'No investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering that thousands of families have endured, but right now families are feeling an immense sense of vindication.'
The announcement comes four months after the trust was fined £1.6m for 'avoidable failings' connected to the deaths of three babies in 2021.
Earlier this year, it emerged records linked to the scandal were mysteriously deleted.
Internal investigations by the trust and the NHS Counter Fraud Authority were unable to determine how the files came to be deleted, leading to
The trust said the missing files were later digitally retrieved and passed to the police.
Ockenden's final report was due in September this year but is now not expected until June next year.
Problems at the trust's maternity department were first highlighted in 2021, with dozens of avoidable deaths since 2010.
Midwives at the hospital wrote to the trust's board in 2018 raising concerns about unsafe staffing levels but whistleblowers said a 'Teflon team' of managers failed to take action.
Nottinghamshire police has been given Home Office special grant funding for the investigation, which involves more than 70 officers and police staff.
Nick Brett, a partner at law firm Brett Wilson, said: 'In light of the ongoing narrative surrounding the safety of the Lucy Letby convictions, it is of interest that the police have chosen to announce that it is investigating Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust for corporate manslaughter.
'This means that this investigation is focused on the management of the trusts maternity services as opposed to individual failings and may suggest concern about systems and supervision.
'A successful prosecution for corporate manslaughter requires proof of a gross breach of relevant duty of care and so the threshold is high.'
In a joint statement on Monday, Nick Carver, Chair and Anthony May, Chief Executive at the trust said: 'It is absolutely right that we take organisational accountability where we have failed women, families and babies.
'We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering caused. We know that for many families this harm and suffering will be lifelong .
'We are fully committed to the ongoing police investigation and the Independent Review of Maternity Services, led by Donna Ockenden.'
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