University Hospitals Sussex is undergoing a comprehensive independent review of its maternity and neonatal services following concerns raised by bereaved families. The review, chaired by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, held its initial public meeting earlier this week in Brighton. The investigation is expected to examine more than 1,000 maternity and neonatal cases dating back to 2018.
The review was launched after a joint investigation revealed concerns about patient care at the trust. Bereaved families, organized through the Truth for Our Babies group, have been campaigning for accountability and transparency regarding potential failings in maternity services. One family’s case involves Susan Cacciacarro, whose daughter Chiara was stillborn in 2021 after staff at Worthing Hospital failed to expedite her delivery when a scan showed the baby had lost weight. Cacciacarro has become a vocal advocate for the review and will provide evidence to Ockenden’s inquiry.
Ockenden brings significant expertise to the role, having previously led reviews into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. She is also chairing a concurrent review into maternity and neonatal services at two Leeds hospitals. In her role, she has committed to ensuring that marginalized families are heard and that the review comprehensively examines care experiences across all communities served by the trust.
University Hospitals Sussex leadership has stated their support for the review process and commitment to implementing improvements. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the concerns and indicated that broader national efforts are underway to improve maternity safety and care quality across the NHS through increased investment and reforms based on previous reviews.
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