Senior midwife Donna Ockenden to lead Sussex maternity review.

Renowned senior midwife Donna Ockenden has been appointed to lead an independent statutory review into maternity services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust, a move heralded as a significant step forward by families who have campaigned tirelessly for accountability and change. Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed Ockenden’s leadership of the inquiry, which was announced last year following widespread concerns about patient safety and outcomes. The decision follows extensive engagement with families who have endured unimaginable trauma, including bereavement, avoidable loss, harm, and disability, underscoring the profound human cost of the alleged failings.

Ockenden brings a wealth of experience to this critical role, having previously led the landmark independent review into maternity failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, a review that exposed systemic issues and led to significant recommendations for national reform. She is also currently overseeing similar independent reviews of maternity services in Nottingham and Leeds, demonstrating her established expertise in navigating complex and sensitive healthcare investigations. Her appointment in Sussex is seen as a crucial assurance for families, who have expressed deep-seated trust in her ability to conduct a thorough, impartial, and compassionate examination of the issues.

The announcement came after Health Secretary Wes Streeting met directly with families affected by the alleged maternity failings. He articulated the imperative of establishing a review that commands the confidence of those who have suffered and campaigned relentlessly to bring these issues to light. "It was really important that we get this review up and running," Streeting stated, "that it has the confidence of families who’ve campaigned really hard to get to today, and have suffered, as I’ve heard on so many occasions now first hand, the most unimaginable, painful trauma." He acknowledged the breadth of experiences shared with him, encompassing the profound grief of bereavement, the devastating impact of avoidable loss, and the lifelong consequences of harm and disability experienced by women, their partners, and fathers.

The urgency for this review is highlighted by recent public testimonies from bereaved mothers. Liz Charlton, speaking out this week, shared the heart-wrenching account of her daughter Hazel’s death in 2021, attributing it to what she described as "maternity failings." While the NHS trust stated it could not comment on specific cases due to ongoing legal proceedings, Charlton’s courageous testimony serves as a stark reminder of the human tragedies that lie at the heart of this investigation.

The Truth For Our Babies campaign, a collective of families advocating for change, has welcomed Ockenden’s appointment as a vital development after a protracted and emotionally draining struggle. Katie Fowler, a spokesperson for the campaign, described the two-year fight for this review as "a long, exhausting and deeply emotional fight," undertaken while grappling with devastating loss and harm. She conveyed the campaign’s proactive engagement with Mr. Streeting, emphasizing their arguments for a comprehensive and inclusive review. "While the full scope of the review is yet to be agreed," Fowler noted, "Mr. Streeting was receptive to the arguments we made as to why a full inclusive review is needed."

The families’ profound trust in Donna Ockenden was unequivocally expressed by Fowler. "Families trusted Ockenden implicitly," she affirmed. "To have her in the room overseeing the conversations meant we could have full faith in the conversation and in the outcomes." This sentiment underscores the critical importance of Ockenden’s personal credibility and her proven ability to foster an environment where families feel heard, respected, and confident in the investigative process.

Dr. Andy Heeps, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust, formally welcomed Ockenden’s appointment, pledging the Trust’s full cooperation. "We will do everything we can to support the review and help families get the answers they seek," he stated, emphasizing a commitment to working "openly and transparently" with the review team and the affected families. Dr. Heeps also sought to provide reassurance regarding the current state of maternity services, asserting that significant changes have been implemented in recent years to enhance safety and quality of care. He acknowledged that this work is an ongoing process, with staff remaining dedicated to delivering safe and compassionate care.

The establishment of this independent statutory review signifies a critical juncture for maternity services in Sussex. It represents a formal acknowledgment of the distress and suffering experienced by families and a commitment to understanding the root causes of any identified failings. The review’s ultimate aim is to provide answers, identify lessons learned, and implement meaningful improvements to ensure the safety and well-being of all mothers and babies receiving care within the Trust. The involvement of Donna Ockenden, a leader with a proven track record in addressing such complex issues, offers a beacon of hope for families seeking justice, transparency, and a safer future for maternity care. The review process is expected to be extensive, involving a deep dive into historical cases, clinical practices, and the broader organizational culture within the maternity services. The findings and recommendations are anticipated to have a far-reaching impact, not only on University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust but potentially on national maternity care standards.