Operation Perth has provided an update to affected families as part of its investigation into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The investigation is closely aligned with Donna Ockenden’s review of the standard of medical care provided at Nottingham City Hospital and Nottingham Queen’s Medical Centre.
The care provided to families is assessed before family folders are shared with Operation Perth, who consider if a crime has been committed, or not.
Investigators have received 360 family folders and 232 of these have been reviewed. Offences that are being considered by Operation Perth are corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin said:
“Operation Perth has started to gather evidence in relation to corporate manslaughter. Previously we have been gathering information in order to help us make an assessment of cases, but we have now started to gather actual evidence.
“While we cannot currently provide the number of cases in that we are seeking early investigative advice from the CPS, as we must protect the integrity of the investigation, I can confirm we are speaking directly with these families.
“We are also working closely with the CPS over the gross negligence manslaughter aspect of the investigation, and it has approached an experienced specialist barrister to assist with advice.
“The threshold to determine criminal activity for both offences is very high, however we are focusing on those under the Offences Against the Person Act, where we assess if harm was caused unlawfully. This is very different to harm caused by medical negligence.
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“Operation Perth continues to absorb best practice and some of the most experienced investigators in the country visit to review our approach.
“We are making good progress however we will continue to work tirelessly in the interest of affected families who remain at the heart of this investigation.”
Operation Perth is attending Donna Ockenden’s Family Meeting on Saturday 17 January in Nottingham and will reaffirm these details as part of an update on its investigation.