Sussex Maternity Review: "Truth and Accountability" Demanded

Parents advocating for an independent inquiry into Sussex maternity services have seen the review's scope confirmed, bringing calls for "truth and accountability" to the forefront. This development follows a four-year campaign by families, including Katie Fowler and Rob Miller, whose daughter Abigail died in January 2022. The review will be broad and inclusive, examining cases of stillbirth, neonatal death, maternal death, and severe harm from 2018. Led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, it is expected to cover over 1,000 cases spanning more than a decade. Families meeting the terms will be automatically included unless they opt out. Ockenden also has the authority to consider cases before 2018 and those with incomplete records. The confirmation is described as "bittersweet" by campaigners, who continue to seek answers regarding failures and the harm experienced by numerous families. The NHS trust has welcomed the review and committed to full support, emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve maternity care safety and learning from the process.