Nottinghamshire Police are preparing to launch an investigation into maternity cases of “potentially significant concern”.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said the cases relate to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

She said the decision came after a meeting with senior midwife Donna Ockenden to discuss her independent review “and to build up a clearer picture of the work that is taking place”.

She said: “We want to work alongside the review but also ensure that we do not hinder its progress.

“However, I am in a position to say we are preparing to launch a police investigation.

“I have appointed the Assistant Chief Constable, Rob Griffin to oversee the preparations and the subsequent investigation.”

The chief executive of NUH, Anthony May, has committed to fully cooperate with the police investigation, Ms Meynell said.

In a statement, the families affected said they welcomed the “long-awaited news of the police investigation”.

There will be a “wealth of information from victim families” for the police to use in their investigation, the statement added.

“A large number of us have alleged crimes and we will be sharing our evidence with the police to assist them with their investigations.

“There has been poor maternity care as well as poor investigation of that care at NUHT for many years,” the families alleged.

They believe there has been a “far-reaching cover-up” by both NUHT and NHS staff, the statement said.

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