An independent review into maternity and neonatal services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has been confirmed, following concerns raised by families about the care they received during pregnancy, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period.
The review will be led by Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife with extensive experience examining serious failings in maternity services across the NHS. Its announcement was made by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has met families affected by bereavement, avoidable harm and lasting injury linked to maternity care at the Trust.
Katherine Fitter, Partner in Stewarts’ Medical Negligence team, explains:
“The announcement of an independent review led by Donna Ockenden into maternity and neonatal services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust will understandably cause significant concern for families who have already been affected, as well as those currently accessing care at this Trust.”
Independent maternity reviews are often the result of sustained pressure from families who have experienced serious harm or loss who are searching for answers about what happened. In Sussex, campaigners have been calling for a review for several years.
“From our experience representing families affected by failures in maternity services, we know the devastating human impact that sits behind these reviews,” Katherine says.
“Some families’ lives are shattered by the loss of a loved one. Others are left managing the lifelong consequences of injury, including the need for round‑the‑clock care, intensive medical treatment and ongoing therapies.”
The impact is not limited to medical needs alone. Families often face wider challenges, including finding suitable housing and accessing appropriate rehabilitation and support services for their child.
“These practical difficulties can persist for years,” Katherine adds, “and can place enormous strain on families already trying to come to terms with what has happened.”
Donna Ockenden previously led the review into maternity failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and is currently leading reviews in Nottingham and Leeds.
“Unfortunately, through our work representing families we repeatedly see systemic failures in maternity care rather than isolated incidents,” Katherine explains.
“These include poor communication, failures to listen to families’ concerns, and delays in involving senior clinicians at critical decision‑making points. In many cases, these issues are longstanding and well documented, often linked to staffing pressures.”
The NHS Trust has said it will work openly and transparently with the review team and families, and has also stated that changes have already been made to improve safety and quality of care. While independent reviews can play an important role in identifying problems and recommending improvements, they are not intended to provide personalised answers or determine legal responsibility in individual cases.
“While the scope of the review and the period it will cover have yet to be announced, reviews of this nature must lead to clear accountability and meaningful operational change,” Katherine says.
“Without sustained action to address recurring failings, families will continue to be harmed by the same mistakes being repeated.”
Families do not need to wait for the outcome of an NHS review before seeking independent advice. A specialist investigation can examine whether maternity or neonatal care fell below acceptable standards and whether avoidable harm was caused.
Stewarts is nationally recognised for its expertise in maternity and neonatal negligence claims. We act exclusively for claimants and have long experience supporting families affected by stillbirth, neonatal death and serious birth injury through complex and sensitive legal processes.
If this announcement has raised concerns about the care you or your baby received at Sussex Hospitals, specialist advice can help you understand what options may be available and whether an independent investigation may be appropriate.
