Anna Whittaker

A 24-hour CCTV emergency help point has been installed on Angel Row in Nottingham city centre after a survey identified the area as one where women and girls felt unsafe. Funded with £20,000 approved by the Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner, the device connects people in distress to city council CCTV operators, who can provide guidance, record evidence or contact police. Supporters describe it as an accessible first step in tackling violence against women and girls, while acknowledging that its coverage is limited and it cannot replace broader preventative measures.

Plans by Cilldara Group for up to 500 homes, a care home and related facilities at Beeston Fields Golf Club have prompted opposition from residents and some club members, who fear damage to wildlife, green space, drainage, traffic and the club’s community role. The developer says the golf course will remain open until at least March 2028 and that two-thirds of the 74-acre site would become parkland with public amenities. Broxtowe Borough Council says a full Environmental Impact Assessment was not required but that environmental, wildlife and traffic issues will be examined during the eventual planning application.

A review into Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust exposed severe and repeated failures in mortuary and post‑death care, compounding trauma for bereaved families. The findings included misidentification of babies, prolonged storage without proper freezing, bodies deteriorating due to capacity issues, and distressing administrative errors. Parents such as Natalie and David Needham received graphic post‑mortem images and cost breakdowns without warning, prompting further investigations and apologies from trust leadership. The Human Tissue Authority raised additional concerns, and police arrested two men on suspicion of misconduct. The trust has begun implementing new oversight and capacity measures as families continue to seek accountability.

The UK data regulator has launched an investigation into whether Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust failed to respond lawfully to subject access requests from families affected by widespread maternity care failures. Families report years‑long delays in accessing vital records related to avoidable harm and deaths of mothers and babies, deepening their distrust of the trust. The inquiry follows a major review that found more than 500 cases of serious or fatal harm and long‑standing leadership failures. NUH has apologised and pledged improvements, while the ICO continues its examination of potential breaches of UK data protection laws.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting urged MPs to compel senior Nottingham NHS staff who refused to participate in Donna Ockenden’s maternity review to appear before a parliamentary committee. The review found hundreds of cases of avoidable harm at Nottingham University Hospitals and identified gaps due to non‑cooperation from some senior managers. Bereaved families, including Jack Hawkins and Gary and Sarah Andrews, supported calls for greater accountability but warned against actions that might disrupt an ongoing police investigation. Several families renewed demands for a statutory public inquiry. The government announced measures to require NHS staff to engage with future maternity reviews, with potential prison penalties for refusal.