Ex-gynaecologist interviewed under caution by police

A former doctor from Derbyshire who may have caused harm to hundreds of women has been interviewed under caution by police.

Daniel Hay, 60, from near Alfreton, spoke to officers last week as part an ongoing criminal investigation into hundreds of medical procedures he carried out at the Royal Derby Hospital and Ripley Hospital.

It is alleged medical procedures carried out by Mr Hay, including major gynaecological operations like hysterectomies, led to hundreds of women suffering harm.

An NHS England report into Mr Hay's practice between 2015 and 2018 was completed in September 2022 but is currently withheld pending the conclusion of the criminal investigation.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said Mr Hay was interviewed under caution by police on 27 March and further days of interviews were expected due to the amount of material which needs to be covered.

The development was revealed in a detailed message police sent to patients who might have been affected.

An "interview under caution" is a formal police interview with a suspect in a criminal investigation, in which the suspect is informed of their right to remain silent and that anything they say can be used as evidence.

The first day of interviews focused on Mr Hay's training, medical knowledge and his practice, police said.

The force has been approached for comment by the LDRS but did not respond.

Mr Hay was approached for comment via the Medical Defence Union, which has been representing him for years.

He has not provided a statement beyond "no comment" since July 2021, when he said: "I apologise to the women affected by the NHS investigation. I am co-operating with the investigation, however, due to my ongoing mental health issues, I ask that you please respect my privacy at this time."

The police investigation focuses on the potential harm caused to hundreds of women.

Meanwhile, a review of governance at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) NHS Foundation Trust, Mr Hay's then employer, has also been withheld.

Police have not indicated the timeline of care provided by Mr Hay that it will be assessing.

An interim NHS report in May 2021 detailed evidence of a "surgery-first" approach, with a frequent total absence of documentation about any other medical treatments – short of surgery – being considered.

The report detailed Mr Hay often failed to explain the ramifications of life-changing operations he recommended before they were carried out.

It said there was "sufficient evidence of a lack of a coherent thought process".

The interim report detailed "major concern" that 50 women were likely to have been harmed and "some concern" that 69 further women had been harmed as a result of Mr Hay's care.

Derbyshire Police launched its criminal investigation into Mr Hay in September 2022 and in November 2024 produced its first progress update.

Mr Hay stopped all clinical activity at the hospital trust in June 2018, with his colleagues raising concerns in late 2018, but did participate in "a small number of curriculum-based, classroom sessions" based at the Royal Derby as late as February 2019.

He relinquished his medical licence in July 2021, meaning he is no longer able to practise medicine, having retired citing mental health concerns in July 2020.

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