Key Highlights
- Baby deaths highlight failures at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
- Independent investigation announced into maternal care practices.
- At least 55 babies could have survived with better care between 2019 and 2023.
- Misleading “normal birth” culture is cited as a concern by external investigators.
The Tragedy of Missed Opportunities
Two families, two heartbreaking stories. Beth Cox and Sophie Hartley lost their babies at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UH Sussex). The trust, set up in 2021, is now under investigation for its care practices.
The Normal Birth Controversy
One of the most contentious issues brought to light is the “normal birth” culture that prioritizes natural vaginal deliveries over medical interventions. Katie Fowler, who lost her daughter Abigail in 2022 due to poor care, criticizes this approach. “The trust does a good job of persuading people that nothing could have been done,” she says.
The cultural emphasis on normal births has led some to question the balance between natural and medically necessary interventions. This culture was highlighted by external investigators as a source of concern, potentially putting maternal and fetal health at risk.
Financial Implications
The financial burden of maternity errors at UH Sussex is staggering. The trust paid out £103.8 million for such claims between 2021 and 2025, with the highest payment in a single year reaching £34.3 million. This amount dwarfs that of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, which had to pay half this total over the same period.
The high number of payments underscores the critical need for improved care practices.
Sophie Hartley’s story is particularly poignant. Despite clear indications of fetal distress, she was repeatedly sent home by hospital staff. The inquest into her son Felix’s death concluded he died due to oxygen deprivation lasting 20 minutes before birth.
Investigation and Reforms
A joint investigation by BBC News and the New Statesman has revealed that at least 55 babies could have survived if better care had been provided. The independent investigation, announced last June by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, will now examine cases of 15 families. This expanded scope includes the parents of both Felixes.
While UH Sussex maintains that its mortality rates are below national averages and that it expects higher levels of negligence claims due to being one of the larger NHS trusts, the voices of bereaved parents remain unyielding in their quest for justice.
Beth Cox, who is still fighting the trust three years after her son’s death, highlights the need for more transparency and accountability.
Despite assurances from the trust that it has introduced a new telephone triage service with experienced midwives, the families involved in Truth for Our Babies remain skeptical. They want an investigation led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, whom the government opposes appointing.
A Call for Change
The saga of UH Sussex highlights systemic issues within the NHS that require urgent attention. The focus on normal births may come at a cost to maternal and fetal health. As the investigation unfolds, it is clear that trust in the healthcare system hangs by a thread.
You might think this is new, but… it’s not.
Similar stories have been playing out across the NHS for years. The time for change is now.
