Latest news with #NottinghamUniversityHospitals
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UK hospital's abandoned rooms left to rot but patients are still allowed in
The abandoned pain clinic at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre has been out of commission for seven years due to severe structural issues, including leaking pipes and collapsed ceilings Inside Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), one of the busiest hospitals in the city, an abandoned pain clinic paints a worrying picture of the challenges facing NHS infrastructure. Once a busy outpatient unit treating hundreds of patients with neurological and physical pain, the clinic has been left unused for seven years due to severe structural issues. Peeling plaster, collapsed ceilings, and standing water flooding the corridors highlight the damage caused primarily by leaking pipes that were originally installed when the hospital was built in 1976. Michael Soroka, head of estates at QMC, described the state of the clinic as 'shameful' and 'embarrassing.' He explained that catastrophic leaks and failing ventilation systems have made parts of the hospital unsafe and unmaintainable. The aging pipework and equipment in the hospital's plant rooms, which control essential infrastructure like heating and water systems, are nearing the end of their lifespan. This has resulted in regular leaks and flooding on some wards, including one that frequently floods the 'F floor' the BBC reports. The clinic's closure is particularly frustrating given the extreme space pressures the hospital already faces. In winter 2023, overcrowding in the emergency department meant patients had to be treated in corridors due to lack of bed availability. Staff at QMC work hard to keep the hospital functioning safely, patching up leaks and hazards quickly, but the underlying infrastructure problems remain unresolved. Nottingham's City Hospital is also grappling with similar issues. Two wings of the St Francis building, originally patient wards and later used as finance offices, have been abandoned because repeated roof leaks and steam system failures have made repairs uneconomical. Despite this, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust insists that with the right investment, the buildings could be restored and continue to serve the community. The problems come against the backdrop of a major government pledge made by the Conservative Party to build 40 new hospitals by 2030. Nottingham's hospitals were included in this ambitious plan through the 'Tomorrow's NUH' rebuilding project, with an estimated cost of around £2 billion. However, the current Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced in January that work on Nottingham's hospital redevelopment would not start until at least 2037, citing affordability issues and the unrealistic nature of the previous timetable. The delay has disappointed NUH Trust officials, who had hoped to create new centres dedicated to women, children, families, and cancer care. Phil Britt, director of major programmes at NUH, highlighted the pain clinic's closure as a clear example of what can happen when urgent investment is delayed, warning that more parts of the hospital risk becoming unusable if the necessary work isn't carried out soon. The Department of Health and Social Care defended the revised timeline, saying it inherited an NHS infrastructure system in crisis. They said: "The New Hospital Programme was on a completely unrealistic timeframe and was unfunded. We have now set out a timeline that's both realistic and deliverable, alongside £1 billion to address the backlog of critical NHS maintenance and repairs to help ensure hospitals are safe and sustainable."
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Nottingham NHS trust faces corporate manslaughter investigation over baby deaths
An NHS trust will be subjected to a corporate manslaughter investigation after a series of baby deaths. In September 2023, Nottinghamshire Police launched a criminal investigation after concerns were raised about severe harm allegedly linked to maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). On Monday, the force said it was looking at whether NUH had been 'grossly negligent in the management of its activities' in the lead-up to deaths at the trust. NUH is also currently the subject of the largest-ever NHS maternity review, led by Donna Ockenden, a former senior midwife. The review is examining more than 2,000 experiences of maternity care at the trust, including deaths and injuries. 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. '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 been shattered.' 'Families ignored and turned away' In a statement, a group of affected families said the probe was 'welcome' but added that 'no investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering'. It 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 Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Scandal-hit NHS trust faces corporate manslaughter probe over deaths of hundreds of babies
A SCANDAL-HIT NHS trust is being investigated for potential offences of corporate manslaughter after hundreds of babies died or were seriously injured. Detectives launched a criminal investigation in 2023 over allegations of severe harm that allegedly unfolded at Nottingham university hospitals (NUH) NHS trust. 2 2 Nottinghamshire police on Monday revealed that inquiry was now focused on corporate manslaughter. Police are reviewing more than 200 alleged failures of maternity care at NUH but this figure could rise to about 2,500. Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome said: "I have now formally commenced the investigation into corporate manslaughter relating to the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. 'The offences relate to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death. 'In such an investigation, we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals. 'My investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence.' Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who blew the whistle on the maternity scandal after the stillbirth of their daughter Harriet in 2016, said the corporate manslaughter investigation "is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability". They 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. Dozens of babies and mums died in 'worst-ever' NHS maternity scandal, leaked report reveals "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, NUH said it was right that the trust took 'organisational accountability where we have failed women, families and babies'. Nick Carver, the chair, and Anthony May, the chief executive, said: 'We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering caused. We know that for many families this harm and suffering will be lifelong.' The bosses said they were fully committed to the ongoing investigations and that since joining the NUH board they had 'emphasised the importance of openness, transparency and accountability' but that 'there is more to do'. They added: 'Many families have shared their experiences with us, and we remain grateful for their strength and courage after such a harrowing and life affecting tragedy... 'We know how important the police investigation and independent review are for the affected families, the trust and our local communities. We hope that affected families receive the answers that they deserve.' AN INDEPENDENT review of maternity services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was launched in 2022. It is being led by top midwife Donna Ockenden, who also investigated failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, one of the biggest patient safety scandals in NHS history. More than 2,000 cases dating back to 2012 are involved in the Nottingham review, which means it could be even worse than Shrewsbury. Local police are also investigating the services separately from the review. Families have come forward after hundreds of babies and mums died or were seriously brain damaged or injured while under the care of the Nottingham hospitals. The review will determine to what extent the deaths and injuries could have been prevented and how shortcomings, errors or negligence by medical and managerial staff at Nottingham City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre may have contributed to families' suffering. The review team said: "This Review has been established in light of significant concerns raised regarding the quality and safety of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and concerns of local families." Ms Ockenden is expected to report her findings in 2026.
Sky News
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust investigated for potential corporate manslaughter offences
An NHS trust is being investigated for potential corporate manslaughter offences, police say. Nottinghamshire Police said its investigation follows deaths and serious injuries allegedly related to maternity care at the trust. The force launched a criminal investigation in September 2023, after concerns were raised linked to maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust. More than 2,000 experiences of maternity care at the trust are currently being looked at as part of the largest-ever NHS maternity review, led by former senior midwife Donna Ockenden. The trust says it is "fully committed" to both the police investigation and the independent review. The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the trust's care said the fresh investigation was "just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability". Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins both worked for the trust, until the death of their daughter Harriet in 2016. They said their lives were "completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma". "We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered," they added. The Nottingham affected families group said in a statement that the investigation was "welcome" but that no probe would "ever reverse the harm and suffering". Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome said the investigation into corporate manslaughter had now "formally commenced". "The offences 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 added. "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." Nick Carver, chair of the trust, and Anthony May, its chief executive, said they were "determined to improve our maternity services". "We know how important the police investigation and independent review are for the affected families, the trust and our local communities," they added. "We hope that affected families receive the answers that they deserve."
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Police launch corporate manslaughter inquiry into Nottingham hospital trust
An NHS trust is being investigated for potential corporate manslaughter after deaths and serious injuries related to maternity care. Nottinghamshire police launched a criminal investigation in September 2023 after concerns were raised about severe harm allegedly linked to maternity services at Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust. Det Supt Matthew Croome said: 'I have now formally commenced the investigation into corporate manslaughter relating to the Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust. 'The offences relate to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death. '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.' The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of the trust said the investigation was '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.' More details soon…
