A police investigation has found that a missing data file containing the details of hundreds of maternity cases was most likely deleted “intentionally or maliciously”.
Nottinghamshire Police launched an investigation into the temporary loss of a computer file at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust.
The trust remains at the centre of the biggest review of maternity failings in NHS history, being led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
The force’s cyber team has now concluded the deletion was “most likely to be the action of an individual” but the loss “was not caused or contributed to by any systemic corruption within NUH”.
In a letter to families involved in the review from Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin, which has been seen by the BBC, it said the deletion was “most likely to have been done intentionally/maliciously rather than accidentally”.
But the identity of the person responsible could not be determined, said police.
The BBC understands the file contained maternity documents, including details of some baby deaths.
The file was recovered a few days after its deletion was spotted by the trust and led to about 300 more cases being added to the maternity inquiry.
Nearly 2,500 cases are being examined by the senior independent midwife Donna Ockenden.
Campaigner Jack Hawkins, whose daughter Harriet was stillborn in 2016, said families thanked the police for their “determined” work but added: “We are distressed that they were unable to find who did this.”
He said the findings were of “grave concern” and called anyone who might be able to identify the person responsible to come forward.
“We are appalled to hear this news, though sadly we are not surprised,” said Dr Hawkins.
“As families we all gave our trust to NUH staff in our most vulnerable state of life and we deserved better.
“To know that there is most likely an individual who is capable of such behaviour is devastating.”
Anthony May, chief executive of NUH, said: “I would like to thank Nottinghamshire Police for their support in investigating this matter and we accept their findings.
“Upon discovering the issue, the trust informed Nottinghamshire Police and engaged fully in the investigation.
“We have put appropriate measures in place to secure digital files so that this cannot happen again.”
Nottinghamshire Police also confirmed last week a corporate manslaughter investigation was under way to determine whether maternity care provided by the trust had been grossly negligent.
