The NHS Trust is investigating people suspected of corporate homicide after the deaths of more than 2,000 babies and women in Nottinghamshire.

Police are reviewing over 200 alleged maternal care failures at the NHS Trust at the University Hospital of Nottingham (NUH), but that number may increase to 2,500.

NUH is the largest maternal inquiry center in NHS history led by leading midwife Donna Ockenden, who is examining deaths and injuries at Queens Medical Center and Nottingham City Hospital.

Nottinghamshire police announced Monday that they are investigating the trust’s possible corporate homicide.

DET SUPT MATTHEW CROOME said the so-called crime was associated with “a situation where the organization was seriously negligent in the management of its activities, which led to the death of a person.”

He added: "In an investigation like this, we are looking for whether the overall responsibility lies with the organization rather than the specific individual, and my investigation will seek to determine if there is evidence that the NHS NHS Trust committed the crime."

Ockenden and the country’s leading team of doctors and midwives are examining approximately 2,500 cases of potentially unwanted care for NUH, and their review ends in the summer of 2026.

Dr. Jack and Sarah Hawkins blew the whistle in the pregnant woman scandal after his daughter Harriet’s stillbirth due to multiple failures, calling on medical staff and managers to be sued separately to show that they are not “out of the law.”

Jack Hawkins, who worked as a consultant doctor at NUH before his daughter died, called for the closure of maternity services at the trust and alleged that bad care was "still in progress - and there were still people hurting people".

He said: "We believe that urgent information needs to be sent, i.e. you are personally responsible for you. Although we are very grateful for the crime of homicide (investigation), failure is not caused by sinks, door frames and buildings - they are caused by people working there, they work there, they are above the law.

"As we said to the Secretary of State, as long as you happen on the Queen's Medical Center campus or on the City Hospital campus, you can participate in the death of children and babies in Nottingham. If you do, the police will be at your doorstep within minutes."

The hospital owners initially had no "obvious fault" in Harriet's care at Nottingham City Hospital and were told their child died of an infection. However, later external review of the case found 13 failures and concluded that death was "almost preventable."

Sarah Hawkins, who worked as a physical therapist at NUH, said they asked for answers in the case of Harriet's death, "covered the obstacles, covered the cover." "I can't describe how traumatic that is," she said. "You can't feel sad until you know the truth."

The group representing the so-called victims, Nottingham Influence Family Organization said the announcement of corporate murderers brought “different emotions”. They added: "We wholeheartedly welcome and support the NUH investigation into corporate homicide. It is so sad that so many tragedies have been carried out on this investigation.

“For years, families have repeatedly raised concerns about maternal safety and can only be ignored and rejected. If our concerns are listened to and acted on, life can be saved.

“No investigation will reverse the harm and pain that thousands of families have suffered, but at the moment, families are feeling a great sense of defense.”

NUH said in a statement that the trust is right to “the organizational responsibility of our failed women, families and babies”. "We are very sorry for the pain and pain that has been caused. We know that for many families, this kind of hurt and suffering will be lifelong."

The boss said they were fully committed to the ongoing investigation and since joining the NUH board, they “stressed the importance of openness, transparency and accountability” but “more to do”.

They added: “Many families have shared their experiences with us and we are still grateful for their strength and courage after such pain and life that has affected tragic life…

“We know the importance of police investigations and independent reviews for affected families, trust funds and our local communities. We want affected families to get the answers they deserve.”

NUH has been fined more than £2.5 million so far after admitting that four babies died after birth. NUH is the first trust to sue more than once due to maternal failure.

It was revealed last year that NUH has paid compensation from more than 134 families to the NHS cost £102 million between 2006 and 2023. This covers dozens of stillbirths, babies suffering permanent brain damage and death.