An NHS trust is being investigated on suspicion of corporate manslaughter after the deaths and severe harm of potentially more than 2,000 babies and women in Nottinghamshire.
Police are reviewing more than 200 alleged failures of maternity care at Nottingham university hospitals (NUH) NHS trust but this figure could rise to about 2,500.
NUH is at the centre of the largest maternity inquiry in the history of the NHS led by the respected midwife Donna Ockenden, who is examining deaths and harm spanning more than a decade at the Queen’s medical centre and Nottingham City hospital.
Nottinghamshire police said on Monday they were investigating possible corporate manslaughter at the trust.
Det Supt Matthew Croome said the alleged offences related 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.”
About 2,500 cases of potentially poor care at NUH are being examined by Ockenden and a national team of leading doctors and midwives, whose review is due to conclude in summer 2026.
Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who blew the whistle on the maternity scandal after the stillbirth of their daughter Harriet in 2016 owing to multiple failures, called for medics and managers to be individually prosecuted to show they are not “above the law”.
Jack Hawkins, who worked at NUH as a consultant doctor before their daughter’s death, called for the trust’s maternity services to be closed and alleged the poor care was “still ongoing – there’s still people coming to harm”.
He said: “We think that the urgent message needs to be sent that you are individually accountable. While we’re very grateful that there’s a corporate manslaughter [investigation], failures are not caused by the sinks, the door frames and the building – they’re caused by the people who turn up to work there and they are above the law.
“You can be involved in the death of children and babies in Nottingham as long as it happens on the Queen’s medical centre campus or the City hospital campus. If you did it anywhere else, the police would be at your door within minutes.”
Hospital bosses initially found “no obvious fault” with Harriet’s care at Nottingham City hospital and the couple were told their child had died of an infection. However, an external review of the case later found 13 failings and concluded the death was “almost certainly preventable”.
Sarah Hawkins, who worked at NUH as a physiotherapist, said they had faced “barrier after barrier, cover-up after cover-up” while demanding answers over Harriet’s death. “I can’t describe how traumatic that is,” she said. “You can’t grieve until you know the truth.”
The group representing alleged victims, Nottingham Affected Families Group, said the corporate manslaughter announcement brought “mixed emotions”. They added: “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.”
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 investigations and that since joining the NUH board they had “emphasised the importance of openness, transparency and accountability” but that there was “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.”
To date, NUH has been fined more than £2.5m after admitting failures of care in the cases of four babies who died shortly after being born. NUH is the first trust to be prosecuted more than once for maternity failings.
It was revealed last year that NUH had paid compensation to more than 134 families, costing the NHS £102m, between 2006 and 2023. This covered dozens of stillbirths and babies being left with permanent brain damage, as well as deaths.
