Michael Buchanan

Whoever it is will need to engage with those people who’ve fought for so long to improve maternity services and reassure them that the government remains committed to the cause.

A new health secretary will now have to pick up and respond to a large body of work, from Amos to Nottingham, Leeds to Sussex. The fear many families have is that the new person won’t be as engaged as Streeting was, and that the avoidable harm will continue. (3/4)

I’m hearing a lot of concerns about what Wes Streeting’s resignation means for the various maternity reviews that have been announced. Streeting spent a considerable amount of time listening to harmed and bereaved families, sometimes against the wishes of his officials. (1/4)

This scope & @DOckendenLtd as chair means it's possible to breathe a sigh of relief that we'll get a full understanding of maternity failings at UHSussex & how they can be prevented from ever happening again. Thank you @wesstreeting for finally hearing us. gov.uk/government/new…

NEW: The review into maternity care in Sussex is likely to assess 1000 cases, going back to 2018. The scope of the inquiry, confirmed today, is a huge win for the families who were initially offered an examination of just nine cases. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

NEW: After a determined and skilled campaign led by @AlisonMcDermo20 & Hinaa Toheed, 10 allegations of judicial misconduct against the same judge will be investigated. Until they started legal action, the judicial watchdog dismissed almost all complaints bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

First bus 10:05; last bus 1:20… In our latest piece looking at the state of modern Britain, we’ve been to the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, where public debt is making life harder for residents and adding to their cost of living pressures. With @Eley90 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Positive breaking news - NI is to get a dedicated regional Mother Baby Unit. @mikenesbittni says a design team is being appointed & it will open no later that 2028/29 It will be located in the grounds of BCH. @SiobhanGraham43 whose daughter died says its too late for her family

A big thank you to @BBCMBuchanan for this more elaborate piece on my journey to the Bar 🙌🏽✨ bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

If you’ve a few moments, and want an uplifting read, can I suggest you spend time with Leonie Hughes. A truly inspiring woman who has overcome many challenges to achieve her dreams. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Truth for our Babies statement after the announcement of Donna Ockenden to lead a review into maternity services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Following a meeting with the group this afternoon, Streeting said “this review has my full personal commitment, and I will ensure we get the answers and deliver the change you deserve.”

Ockenden - who will also chair a forthcoming review into maternity care at Leeds - will now work with the families on the details. The families are keen for “a full, inclusive review to ensure that no family is left behind.”

NEW: After a long and arduous campaign by families, Donna Ockenden has been appointed to chair the maternity review in Sussex. The group, Truth For Our Babies, pushed hard for Ockenden after Wes Streeting initially refused their request. Today he confirmed her appointment.

The full investigation, which also revealed that the death of at least 55 babies at University Hospitals Sussex might have been avoided had they and their mothers received better care, can be read here: newstatesman.com/investigation/…

In February, @BBCMBuchanan and I reported on a group of Sussex families, whose babies had died under NHS care. As they meet the Health Secretary today, one mother we spoke with has received a settlement and - finally - an apology for the "negligent care" she received.

In 2014, Charmain Speirs married Prophet Eric Adusah. Six months later she was found dead in a hotel in Ghana. I've teamed up with the brilliant @MylesBonnar and @KQAnderson from BBC Disclosure to investigate what happened. Watch it Monday 10pm BBC 2... bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…