NOTTINGHAM — Two men were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in connection with operating practices within the mortuary service at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The arrests were carried out by Operation Perth, which is Nottinghamshire Police's investigation into maternity services at Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.

Operation Perth discovered breaches of regulations of the Human Tissue Act related to the management and operating practices of mortuary services. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust operates mortuary services at both Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital, which operate under a licence from the Human Tissue Authority. One arrested man is 55 years old and the other is 59 years old.

Nottinghamshire Police have contacted families identified as being directly impacted by the issues established within the NUH trust mortuaries. Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin stated that the police will contact other directly affected families as the investigation progresses. "We recognise this will be particularly distressing for families," Griffin said.

Griffin also acknowledged that these developments occurred shortly before the publication of the independent maternity review. "We appreciate that this development comes only a few days before the publication of the independent maternity review, led by Donna Ockenden, which will be an important but difficult time for families," he said. An independent maternity review led by Donna Ockenden is scheduled for publication on Wednesday. Approximately 2,500 families and more than 800 staff members contributed to the Ockenden review.

Nottinghamshire Police launched a corporate manslaughter case last year as part of a wider criminal investigation into maternity failings at the trust. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has paid out millions of pounds in compensation and fines following prosecutions for poor care. Separately, the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council are investigating allegations against individual staff members.