An independent investigation into maternity services at a Sussex hospital has been announced following multiple complaints from families about the standard of care provided.
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust will undergo a comprehensive review of its maternity and neonatal departments, with senior midwife Donna Ockenden appointed to lead the examination of cases stretching back to 2018.
More than one thousand incidents are expected to be reviewed as part of the investigation.
The action comes after families including Beth Cooper, aged 31, voiced concerns about treatment at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
Ms Cooper’s son Felix died in utero during December 2022 when she was 34 weeks pregnant.
As a former neonatal nursery nurse, Ms Cooper has not been able to resume her professional duties since the loss.
She has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the experience.
During the final week of her pregnancy, Ms Cooper attended the hospital on four consecutive occasions after noticing reduced foetal movement.
On each visit, she felt her concerns were not taken seriously and believed staff viewed her merely as a nervous first-time mother.
On Christmas Eve, medical staff confirmed that her baby had died.
She underwent a caesarean section the following day to deliver Felix.
Ms Cooper has described the birth as an extremely isolating experience, stating that despite remaining at the facility with her partner to spend time with her son, no physician attended to her for four days afterward.
According to Ms Cooper, the aftermath of the loss left her feeling that her baby’s passing rendered him somehow unimportant to the medical team.
She expressed hope that Felix might leave a positive legacy by helping to improve care for other families in similar situations.
Ms Cooper encouraged other families who have experienced similar concerns to participate in the review process, suggesting that speaking about their experiences could provide answers and contribute to improvements for future patients.
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Sussex acknowledged the importance of how bereaved families are treated, expressing regret when individuals feel their voices were not heard.
The trust stated its commitment to providing compassionate support and ensuring families are treated with respect and empathy.
The review team will hold a gathering in Brighton on September 5 where affected families can meet Ms Ockenden and her colleagues to raise questions and share their experiences.
Ms Ockenden emphasised the importance of engaging with families during the initial phase of the investigation to ensure their input can influence the direction of the review.
Chief executive Dr Andy Heeps confirmed that the trust welcomes the independent review and will fully cooperate with the process.
He stated that the organisation’s primary focus remains delivering safe care to mothers and infants, noting that numerous improvements have already been implemented within maternity services in recent years.
Dr Heeps reiterated that the trust would work collaboratively with the review team to identify additional ways of enhancing the safety and quality of its services.