Baby Loss At West Sussex NHS Trust: Why Today’s Findings Must Mark A Turning Point For Maternity Safety

The reports emerging today about maternity care at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust are distressing, heartbreaking, and deeply significant. A joint BBC and New Statesman investigation has found that at least 55 babies who died between 2019 and 2023 may have survived with better care, according to the trust’s own internal reviews.

Alongside these findings, a review of nine stillbirths in 2021–22 identified missed opportunities in every single case, raising serious concerns about a pattern of avoidable harm. These tragic outcomes highlight ongoing challenges within NHS maternity services, where families continue to raise concerns about safety, communication, and timely intervention.

What the investigation reveals

The investigation highlights several critical findings relevant to anyone following issues of maternity care failures, NHS patient safety, and clinical negligence risks:

For families, these findings are not just numbers; they represent avoidable baby deaths, potential medical negligence, and deep uncertainty about whether concerns were properly acted upon.

The human impact: stories no family should tell

At the heart of this story are parents who experienced unimaginable loss. Many have spoken bravely about their experiences, describing how warning signs such as reduced fetal movements, persistent illness, or worsening symptoms were not escalated appropriately despite multiple hospital visits.

One family’s inquest found that their baby would likely have survived had timely medical intervention been provided. These narratives echo broader issues seen across the country, where families involved in maternity claims often feel unheard or dismissed until it is too late.

The trust’s response

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged that care has not always met required standards, with the chief executive issuing a direct apology to families.

Steps taken to improve maternity safety include:

These changes are welcome, but they come after years of preventable harm—highlighting the need for long‑term, sustainable improvements across maternity services nationwide.

Why these findings matter nationally

The issues identified in Sussex reflect patterns seen at other NHS trusts, including Shrewsbury & Telford, Morecambe Bay, and Nottingham. Problems such as staff shortages, safety concerns being minimised, and inconsistent maternity risk management recur in inquiry after inquiry.

When the same themes emerge nationally, it becomes clear that what we are seeing is not isolated negligence—it is a structural issue in NHS maternity safety requiring urgent reform.

A necessary call to action: reform must follow

To prevent further avoidable harm, today’s findings must result in system‑wide changes in maternity safety standards, including:

Conclusion

The findings at West Sussex NHS Trust are a devastating reminder of the ongoing challenges in NHS maternity care. The courage of families coming forward, combined with detailed investigative journalism, offers an opportunity for meaningful change.

As professionals working with individuals affected by clinical negligence, we see the human cost of these systemic failings every day. Lasting reform, rooted in compassion, transparency, and accountability, is not only possible but also essential.