Nottingham baby data loss 'likely intentional or malicious'

Nottingham baby data loss 'likely intentional or malicious'

BBC News has reported that a police investigation has found that a missing data file containing the details of hundreds of maternity cases was likely deleted intentionally or maliciously. Nottinghamshire Police initiated an investigation into the temporary loss of a computer file at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust. The trust is currently under scrutiny in the largest review of maternity failings in NHS history, being conducted by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.

According to Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin from Nottinghamshire Police, the deletion of the file was most likely intentional or malicious rather than accidental. The police were unable to identify the individual responsible. The file in question reportedly held maternity documents, including information about some baby deaths. The trust noticed the file’s deletion a few days after it occurred, leading to an additional 300 cases being included in the maternity inquiry.

The ongoing review, overseen by Donna Ockenden, is examining nearly 2,500 cases. Campaigner Jack Hawkins, who lost his daughter Harriet in 2016, expressed gratitude to the police for their diligent work but expressed distress over the inability to pinpoint the culprit. Hawkins urged anyone with information about the person responsible to come forward. NUH’s chief executive Anthony May thanked the police for their assistance in the investigation and confirmed that measures have been implemented to safeguard digital files from similar incidents in the future.

Furthermore, Nottinghamshire Police revealed that a corporate manslaughter investigation is underway to assess whether the maternity care provided by the trust was grossly negligent. The findings of the police investigation have raised concerns among affected families who entrusted NUH staff during vulnerable moments and deserve better treatment. Dr. Hawkins stated that the news of an individual capable of such behavior is devastating and underscores the need for accountability and justice in the matter

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More