The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has revealed that bodies at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust mortuary were found in a state of 'advanced deterioration' because they were not transferred to a freezer in time. Inspectors who visited the trust in March discovered eight bodies in advanced decomposition, concluding that the trust has 'insufficient storage to meet the needs of the mortuary service'.
Identification wristband checks missed
Inspectors also found that identification wristbands were not always checked when bodies, kept in hermetically sealed bags due to their deterioration, were transferred to funeral services. This increased the risk of the wrong body being released to families.
The problems with mortuary care came to light after the parents of Harriet Hawkins, who was stillborn at Nottingham city hospital in 2016, questioned why her body had decomposed so badly that it had to be 'triple-bagged' for her funeral.
Ockenden review reveals systemic failures
A review published on Wednesday, led by independent senior midwife Donna Ockenden, found that more than 500 mothers and babies died or were harmed at the 'toxic' trust between 2012 and 2025 due to 'systemic, deep-rooted' failures in maternity and neonatal care. Ockenden devoted 29 pages of her 400-page report to the Hawkinses' experiences, arguing their case had many 'hallmarks' of how the trust's maternity units 'cruelly' treated parents and babies.
Anthony May, chief executive of Nottingham University Hospitals trust, apologised on behalf of the trust after being asked about the 'lack of care' shown to bodies in its mortuary. On BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: 'I will take responsibility and accountability for that, because you're absolutely right, that happened on my watch. I'm very sorry. I'm really disappointed … dignity and respect of people in death matters just as much as it does during their lives.'
Action plan submitted
May did not name the Hawkinses but said the matter had been brought to his attention after 'one of the maternity families found something in their subject access requests about the way we cared for their daughter'. He added: 'We immediately commissioned, with the family, a review. We commissioned a separate review into the state of mortuary services. Today, we work closely with the police and the regulator.'
Since the HTA inspection, the trust has submitted an action plan to the regulator. 'That action plan will have independent oversight so that we've got the right governance and assurance in place. We took a lot of actions at the time – those actions are still under way,' May said. 'We're absolutely determined to put this right because local people deserve better, and these services need to be of a higher quality. We do still have the licence from the HTA, but we need to make sure we fulfil every single aspect of it.'
Arrests made in connection with mortuary practices
Separately, two men, aged 55 and 59, have been bailed after being arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office 'in connection with operating practices at the mortuary service', Nottingham police said. The force stated: 'The enforcement was carried out by Operation Perth, which is Nottinghamshire police's investigation into maternity services at both hospitals. Operation Perth discovered breaches of regulations of the Human Tissue Act in relation to the management and operating practices of the mortuary services.'
