Two men have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in the running of a mortuary service at a hospital trust already at the centre of the NHS’s largest maternity inquiry, Nottinghamshire police said on Monday. The arrests come just days before the publication of a major report into failings at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, which examined more than 2,500 cases involving mothers and babies who died or suffered serious harm.
The men, aged 55 and 59, were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in connection with “operating practices in the mortuary service” at NUH, which runs mortuaries at Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital under a licence from the Human Tissue Authority. The enforcement was carried out by Operation Perth, the police investigation into maternity services at both hospitals. “Operation Perth discovered breaches of regulations of the Human Tissue Act in relation to the management and operating practices of the mortuary services,” the force said in a statement.
“Two men arrested on suspicion of misconduct in mortuary services at Nottingham University Hospitals trust, days before major maternity report.”
Nottinghamshire’s deputy chief constable, Rob Griffin, acknowledged the distress the arrests would cause. “We recognise this will be particularly distressing for families,” he said. “We appreciate that this development comes only a few days before the publication of the independent maternity review, led by Donna Ockenden, which will be an important but difficult time for families.” He added that police had contacted families “directly impacted by the issues established within the NUH trust mortuaries” and would reach out to others as they are identified.
The Ockenden review, due on Wednesday, is expected to detail “horrendous” failings in maternity care at the trust, including allegations of racism towards mothers. About 2,500 families and more than 800 staff contributed to the investigation. NUH has already paid millions of pounds in compensation and fines after being prosecuted for poor care.
Manjeet Shehmar, the medical director at NUH, said in a statement: “We are aware that two people have been arrested in connection with operating practices in our mortuary service. We take concerns around practice in our services extremely seriously and will cooperate fully to ensure a thorough investigation can take place.” She urged anyone with concerns to use the trust’s patient liaison service.