An 'immense sense of vindication' for families as investigation is launched into maternity care deaths

BUT THEY SAY LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED IF THEIR CONCERNS HAD NOT BEEN IGNORED

- By JOEL MOORE and JOSHUA HARTLEY

A CORPORATE manslaughter investigation has been launched over baby deaths and injuries at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust's maternity wards.

Nottinghamshire Police have formally started an investigation into possible corporate manslaughter offences at maternity services at the Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.

The serious offence relates to circumstances where an organisation has caused death through being “grossly negligent” in the management of their activities, investigator Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome explained.

Detective Superintendent Croome, who is leading the force's investigation (known as Operation Perth) into Nottingham’s maternity services, said: “We are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals.

“My investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence.”

He added that officers were continuing to review cases passed to them by senior midwife Donna Ockenden’s independent review into the maternity scandal at the hospitals.