What's happened
Two men have been arrested in connection with mortuary service practices at Nottingham University Hospitals as the independent Ockenden maternity review draws near. The probe into hospital care and fatalities continues, with regulators and police highlighting breaches under the Human Tissue Act.
What's behind the headline?
Context and stakes
- The NUH case sits at the intersection of patient safety, regulatory oversight, and public trust.
- The Ockenden report has become a focal point for systemic reform in maternity care, with potential consequences for staffing, training, and governance.
- The police investigation into mortuary practices signals that the inquiry could expand beyond clinical care to operational controls.
What’s changing now
- Regulators are stepping up scrutiny; the HTA licence and mortuary operations are under the microscope as new details emerge.
- Families affected by the NUH failures are awaiting the independent review’s publication, which is expected to shape policy and accountability.
Forecast
- The forthcoming report could trigger policy changes and funding adjustments in maternity services, both regionally and nationally.
How we got here
The Ockenden inquiry into Nottingham University Hospitals focuses on thousands of families and hundreds of staff who contributed to the review. The investigation delves into care failures dating from 2012 to 2025, with broader scrutiny of maternity services across England.
Our analysis
The Guardian and Independent report on NUH inquiry, Ockenden findings, and police investigations into mortuary services. Direct quotes from Nottinghamshire Police and health officials are included in both sources.
Go deeper
- What new findings will the Ockenden report reveal about care at NUH?
- How will regulators respond to the mortuary service breaches in light of the HTA licence?
- What changes are anticipated for maternity services across England after this review?
More on these topics
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Donna Ockenden
Donna Ockenden is a British midwife, businesswoman and community activist. As a senior midwife, she was commissioned in 2016 by the UK Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to chair an independent review into maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital
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Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council is the regulator for nursing and midwifery professions in the UK. The NMC maintains a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses and nursing associates eligible to practise within the U
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Nottingham University Hospitals - Hospital in England
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is one of England's largest acute teaching trusts. It was established on 1 April 2006 following the merger of Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre NHS Trusts.
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Human Tissue Authority - Non-departmental public body
The Human Tissue Authority is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom.