LONDON

Police in Nottinghamshire, a ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England, on Thursday announced that they are preparing to launch an investigation into maternity cases of "potentially significant concern" at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The decision was made after Chief Constable Kate Meynell met with senior midwife Donna Ockenden to discuss her independent review of mothers' and babies' safety​​​​​​​ at Nottingham University Hospital.

"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," Meynell said in a statement

Anthony May, the chief executive of Nottinghamshire County Council, has committed to fully cooperating with the police investigation, she added.

Following growing concern by many families, the hospital was ordered to make "significant and immediate improvements" to its maternity services.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing families concerned about the hospital, welcomed the announcement of the police investigation into the hospital.

"All they want is for the most thorough investigations to be held so they can be provided with all of the answers they deserve," it said in a statement.

"The families we represent have either suffered the heartbreak of losing a child or their child has been left with disabilities for which they’ll require life-long care and support. We also represent mums who have been injured," the firm added.