Bereaved Families Urge Expansion of Sussex Baby Deaths Review Before Meeting with Health Secretary

An inquiry into preventable infant deaths at University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation trust is under review amid concerns from bereaved families. The health secretary has ordered an examination of nine specific cases as part of broader maternity care issues in England. Families have raised these concerns ahead of a planned meeting with the health secretary on Wednesday.

The current review focuses on deaths where parents have opted in, which families describe as limited. They argue that this approach excludes dozens of other cases that occurred between 2019 and 2023 and might have been prevented with improved care. Official figures indicate that Black women in the UK are more than twice as likely to die in childbirth compared to white women, with women from Asian backgrounds also facing higher risks.

Calls for Broader Investigation Families are requesting that the investigation expand to cover more than 60 additional baby deaths.

They propose that the review be led by a senior midwife currently overseeing similar inquiries at NHS trusts in Nottingham and Leeds. Additionally, they want the process to proactively identify and include affected families rather than relying solely on those who come forward. The opt-in structure of the review is seen as a barrier, particularly for groups less able to navigate the system.

This could result in evidence primarily from certain demographic groups, potentially overlooking issues like health inequalities. Families emphasize that incomplete participation may lead to partial understanding of the causes of harm. A public health expert involved in the process stated that hearing only from specific groups limits the identification of broader problems.

For example, certain systemic issues, such as racism in care, might not be detected without diverse input. The expert noted that solutions based on incomplete evidence could be ineffective or even counterproductive.

Trust Response and Ongoing Concerns University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation trust reported earlier this year that it had hired 40 new midwives, which eliminated its previous vacancy rate at the time of several preventable deaths.

Families express concern that this response focuses mainly on staffing and may not address deeper structural issues within the trust. They argue that a narrow review risks missing these underlying factors.

A spokesperson said the process is tailored to Sussex and based on evidence, with updates to be provided to families soon. The review aims to avoid adding to the burdens faced by those affected by maternity care failures. This inquiry occurs within the context of national maternity scandals, highlighting ongoing challenges in NHS care delivery.

Expanding the scope could provide a more comprehensive analysis of preventable deaths and inform improvements in maternity services. The outcome of the meeting with the health secretary may influence the review's direction and inclusion criteria.