Harmed and bereaved families in Sussex will get the answers they have been fighting for after the Health and Social Care Secretary confirmed the scope of the independent review into maternity and neonatal services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx), chaired by Donna Ockenden.
The review will shine a light on maternity and neonatal care at the trust and set out the changes needed to ensure services are safe and equitable for every family, News Cover reports, citing the UK government's official website.
Families helped shape the scope of the review, ensuring every person who experienced harm gets the answers they deserve, driving lasting improvements to maternity safety.
The review will cover cases of stillbirth, neonatal death, maternal death, neonatal harm caused by severe brain injuries, and severe maternal harm.
Every family who meets the terms of reference will be automatically included in the review unless they choose not to be, with no need to apply or come forward, ensuring the most vulnerable and bereaved families are not left out.
It is expected that the review will examine more than 1000 cases spanning over a decade.
The vast majority of births in the NHS have good outcomes, and women should continue to attend all maternity appointments. Women and families are encouraged to raise any concerns with their midwife or healthcare team without hesitation.
