An independent investigation has found that maternity data at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was most likely deleted deliberately, in the latest blow to a trust already at the centre of the biggest maternity review in NHS history.

The investigation followed a probe by Nottinghamshire Police into a data breach in July 2024, when key records from the Medical Examiner’s Office were deleted. Police reached the same conclusion but could not identify who was responsible. The deleted material was later retrieved.

Second data loss in August

The trust also reported a further loss of data files during routine technical work on 18 August this year. Staff copying a radiotherapy database ran pre-written instructions against an old maternity database instead, overwriting records of women and babies who received maternity care between September 2011 and November 2022.

The trust said it recovered the clinical information needed for patient care with help from external specialists. But it has not been able to fully restore the audit history showing who viewed those maternity records over the 11-year period. The Information Commissioner’s Office was notified.

Families at centre of biggest maternity review

The trust’s maternity services are under review led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, after an inquiry found more than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died because of inadequate care at Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital. Nottinghamshire Police are assessing whether the data loss affects their investigation, Operation Perth.

Chief executive Anthony May said the trust recognised the loss of data caused significant distress and uncertainty for families, and apologised for the additional worry at what was already an extremely difficult time. Fifteen staff members were sacked in October over inappropriate access to the medical records of victims of Valdo Calocane.