Nottinghamshire Police have launched a corporate manslaughter investigation into Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust following the deaths and severe harm of potentially more than 2,000 babies and women. The inquiry comes amid the largest maternity scandal in NHS history, with over 200 alleged failures currently under review, a figure that could rise to 2,500.
Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome stated that the investigation focuses on whether the trust's gross negligence in managing its activities led to deaths. He emphasised that the probe seeks to determine if organisational responsibility, rather than individual fault, applies. The cases are being examined by a national team led by midwife Donna Ockenden, with a report expected by summer 2026.
Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who lost their daughter Harriet in 2016 due to multiple failings, called for individual prosecutions, arguing that staff should not be 'above the law'. Jack Hawkins, a former consultant at NUH, said failures were caused by people, not infrastructure, and urged the closure of the trust's maternity services. Sarah Hawkins described facing 'barrier after barrier, cover-up after cover-up' in seeking the truth.
The Nottingham Affected Families Group welcomed the corporate manslaughter investigation but expressed sadness that it took so many tragedies to prompt action. They said families' concerns had been ignored for years, and lives could have been saved if they had been listened to. NUH chair Nick Carver and chief executive Anthony May apologised for the pain caused and committed to transparency and accountability, acknowledging there is 'more to do'.
