A criminal investigation is to be launched into maternity care across Nottingham’s hospitals amid a wide-scale review into the services. Nottinghamshire Police made the announcement on Thursday, September 7 after a meeting between Chief Constable Kate Meynell and senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
The force said it had found cases of “potentially significant concern”. Ms Ockenden is chairing an inquiry into Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) after dozens of baby deaths and injuries across Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital. At least 1,800 are expected to be part of the review, making it the biggest of its kind in NHS history.
In a statement, Ms Meynell said: “On Wednesday I met with Donna Ockenden to discuss her independent review into maternity cases of potentially significant concern at NUH and to build up a clearer picture of the work that is taking place. We want to work alongside the review but also ensure that we do not hinder its progress. However, I am in a position to say we are preparing to launch a police investigation.
“I have appointed the Assistant Chief Constable, Rob Griffin, to oversee the preparations and the subsequent investigation.”
Ms Meynell said the force was looking at an investigation into Shrewsbury and Telford by West Mercia Police “to understand how they conducted their investigation alongside Donna Ockenden’s review and any lessons learnt”.
“Now we have met with Donna Ockenden we plan to hold preliminary discussions with some local families in the near future,” she said. She added that Anthony May, Chief Executive of NUH, has committed to fully cooperate with this police investigation.
Remedy Law are currently instructed by the mother of a child who suffered cerebral palsy as a result of negligence at another Trust.
Nottingham hospitals have paid out £72 million over the last 10 years due to mistakes leading to cerebral palsy among patients. Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), the NHS trust which runs the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, forked out the sum across 21 clinical negligence claims since the 2010/2011 financial year – averaging at £3.4 million per case.
If you would like to discuss your or your families experiences, please do not hesitate to contact out Consultant Lawyer Tracy Hunns-Clarke on tracy@remedylaw.co.uk or by telephone on 02393552843