Independent Review of Sussex Maternity Services Begins as Families Seek Justice

A significant independent review into maternity and neonatal services in Sussex has commenced, driven by the heartbreaking experiences of bereaved families and a media investigation into preventable deaths. The review, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, aims to address the concerns raised by families affected by tragic outcomes in maternity care.

One of the families participating in the review is that of Susan Cacciacarro, who suffered the devastating stillbirth of her daughter Chiara at nearly 37 weeks. Despite being classified as a high-risk pregnancy due to a heart condition diagnosed during a 20-week scan, Cacciacarro's concerns about her baby's movements were not met with timely intervention, ultimately leading to the loss of her child. "I’ve never felt so devastated and so crushed," she shared, reflecting on the profound impact of losing Chiara.

The launch of the review was marked by a public meeting in Brighton, where Ockenden outlined the review's objectives to the families involved. With a focus on accountability and improved safety measures, Cacciacarro and others are hopeful that the review will lead to significant changes in how maternity services are delivered. "We definitely don’t want other families to go through this," she emphasized, advocating for comprehensive reforms in care standards.

Ockenden, who has previously conducted landmark reviews in maternity care, acknowledged the importance of hearing the voices of bereaved families and ensuring that their experiences shape the review process. "My priority will be to listen carefully to harmed and bereaved families," she stated. The review is poised to investigate over 1,000 maternity cases dating back to 2018, striving for a thorough examination of care to prevent future tragedies.

Source: www.theguardian.com