Human Tissue Authority finds mortuary failings at Nottingham hospital trust

Inspectors found eight bodies in a state of advanced deterioration after the hospital ran out of freezer space and identified 10 shortfalls in mortuary services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The Human Tissue Authority also identified insufficient identity checks that created a risk that the wrong bodies could be released to families.

The trust, which runs Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and Nottingham City Hospital, drew scrutiny after Donna Ockenden found evidence of recurring failures to protect the dignity of the deceased. Her findings included inadequate arrangements for undertaking paediatric post-mortems.

The Human Tissue Authority regulates mortuary care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its inspection process can include desk-based assessment, on-site assessment and analysis of information. The authority licenses more than 800 organisations across six sectors. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is listed as a licensed establishment with Helen Gillan named as the designated individual.

The trust’s mortuary problems are part of a wider criminal investigation. Nottinghamshire Police arrested two men, aged 55 and 59, on 22 June 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in connection with operating practices in the mortuary service at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Both men were later released on bail with strict conditions.

The arrests formed part of Operation Perth, the force’s investigation into maternity services at both Nottingham hospitals.

Previous Human Tissue Authority inspections have found bodies left in fridges for more than 30 days, along with signs of deterioration.