In response to the announcement today (15 April) of an external review into Trust maternity services, Dr Andy Heeps, chief executive officer of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The loss of a baby is the worst thing that a parent can imagine, let alone experience. For any family who has been through such a trauma, I am deeply sorry.
“We welcome today’s announcement that a Chair has been appointed to lead the independent review into our Trust’s maternity services. We will work openly and transparently with the Donna Ockenden review team, and with families who have used our services, because we believe external scrutiny can help drive improvement. We hope this announcement will provide some reassurance to families, and we will do everything we can to support the review and help families get the answers they seek.
“I also want to reassure families about our maternity services today. We know that trust has to be earned through the care we provide and the action we take, and we have made important changes in recent years to strengthen the safety and quality of the care we provide to people now. That work never ends, and our staff remain deeply committed to providing safe, compassionate care to every woman, baby and family who uses our services.
“We know there is more to do, and we will keep working with openness, humility and determination to deliver the safest and best care possible.”