- Police arrested two men over mortuary misconduct at a hospital trust.
- The arrests relate to Human Tissue Act breaches during maternity failings.
- An independent maternity review is due for publication this coming Wednesday.
Police arrested two males aged 55 and 59, who are suspected of misconduct in a public office. These arrests are linked to the operating practices in the mortuary service at Nottingham University hospitals. The force acted via Operation Perth, targeting maternity services across two sites.
The trust handles mortuary duties at Nottingham City hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre. These activities are managed under a Human Tissue Authority licence. Operation Perth uncovered specific breaches of regulations of the Human Tissue Act regarding how the services were run and managed.
Two men were arrested over mortuary operating practices
Rob Griffin, the deputy chief constable noted that the timing is difficult for families. The arrests occur just before Donna Ockenden releases an independent maternity review. Police have already contacted families identified as being directly impacted by the mortuary issues discovered.
Medical director Manjeet Shehmar stated that the trust will cooperate fully with the probe. He mentioned that patient liaison services remain available for those with concerns. The trust is facing a major report on how failings led to deaths of babies.
The Ockenden review involved 800 staff and 2,500 families. The trust has paid millions in fines and compensation. A corporate manslaughter case was launched last year while the General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council investigate individual staff members.
