Man arrested over sexual assault allegations at Dudley and North Midlands NHS trusts

A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual assault at two NHS trusts, Staffordshire Police has said.

The force said the three-and-a-half year investigation, which saw it reviewing patient records at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust was “extremely complex”.

A 38-year-old man, from the West Midlands area, was arrested in December 2021 and has been released under investigation.

It added that the investigation continued, and it was working to enable a charge to be made. A review of patient records at the two trusts had finished, it said. The two trusts have hospitals in Dudley, Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford.

“For the last three and a half years we have been investigating allegations of sexual assaults at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust,” a statement released on Saturday evening said.

“This is an extremely complex investigation which is being carried out by a dedicated team of detectives. We have finished our review of patient records in the two trusts.

“A 38-year-old man, from the West Midlands area, was arrested in December 2021 and has been released under investigation.

“Working closely with a number of partners, the team have put robust safeguarding measures in place to protect the public while they work through their extensive enquiries.

“Our investigation continues while we diligently work through all of the available information.

“We have received written advice from the CPS on submission of a case file, and all agencies continue to work collaboratively to enable a final charging decision to be made.

“We have a dedicated family liaison officer supporting the victims who are being kept fully updated.”

The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust oversees the Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital, Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke and Community Diagnostic Centre.

Meanwhile the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust oversees three hospital sites at Russells Hall Hospital, Guest Outpatient Centre in Dudley and Corbett Outpatient Centre in Stourbridge.