Derbyshire Police have confirmed that all criminal inquiries into the practice of former NHS gynaecologist Daniel Hay have been closed following his death in April at the age of 61. The decision ends a probe that began in September 2022 into allegations concerning hundreds of women treated by Hay over almost two decades.
Scope of concerns identified by NHS review
An NHS investigation, published in September 2025 after being finalised three years earlier, examined 383 cases and reported both serious and lesser concerns about care provided during a defined period. The review identified:
- Major concerns about harm to 48 women
- Some concerns about harm to 68 women
"major" concerns of harm to 48 women and "some" concerns of harm to 68 women out of 383 cases examined.
The NHS review covered cases from 2015 to 2018, with a separate expansion under way to examine an earlier period from 2012 to 2015. Authorities said Hay had worked across the "mid‑Trent" area at a number of hospitals between 1996 and 2020, including Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham, King's Mill Hospital in Sutton‑in‑Ashfield, what was Derby City General Hospital, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital. He also held teaching roles at the University of Nottingham and Sheffield Medical School.
Police action and responses from patients
In January this year, Derbyshire Police announced they had dropped six of the original 36 named cases because evidence did not meet the threshold for prosecution. The force has now confirmed that, following Hay's death, the criminal investigation has been discontinued. A force statement said the investigation had ceased "due to [his] death" and noted that two women who had contacted police indicated they did not want further action.
Some women affected by the NHS review have expressed frustration and a sense of being let down. The Local Democracy Reporting Service quoted victims saying they felt "failed and disheartened" by the outcome. One woman, whose surgeries in 2016 and 2017 were among the first six dropped in January, has already sought a formal review of her case.
Where the concerns arose and what happens next
The cases under scrutiny span more than a decade of clinical practice in hospitals across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Campaigners and alleged victims have repeatedly called for a broader investigation into how Hay was allowed to continue practising and whether institutional safeguards failed. While criminal prosecutions have been halted, the NHS review findings — and the ongoing extension of case reviews into earlier years — mean questions about clinical governance and patient safety remain active.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Cases examined in NHS review | 383 |
| Cases with major concerns | 48 |
| Cases with some concerns | 68 |
Victims seeking clarity or redress may still pursue civil remedies or requests for further NHS reviews. Local hospital trusts and regulatory bodies have been urged by campaigners and affected patients to be transparent about the steps taken to investigate and address the issues raised by the review.
Derbyshire residents who believe they were affected by Hay's care should check the published NHS review for details of eligibility and any contact routes set out by the review process or local trusts. The extension of the NHS examination to earlier years means some patients may still come forward as that work continues.
This developing matter touches on hospital oversight, professional regulation and patient trust in maternity and gynaecological services across the county. Local NHS organisations and regulators are expected to face continued scrutiny as the wider review proceeds.
