Robyn Davis

I salute their strength. Because, of course, these are not 'stories'. They are lives. And mothers and fathers should not have to share the intimate details of their worst possible moments with the press just to be heard. END

Bereaved Sussex families have finally got the inquiry they wanted. "This has been a long, exhausting and deeply emotional fight," they said. Having met so many of the group, I hope I can be permitted some reflections, because the statement does not do them justice... (🧵)

So proud of TFOB. We really fought with every ounce for our babies. Thank you @wesstreeting for doing the right thing. We have so much respect.

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.

An independent review into maternity services in Sussex will be led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, after families pressed for action. More here: bbc.in/3QfN3VC

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.

I admire Liz's bravery to speak publicly and we are always thinking of their baby girl, Hazel. As a bereaved mother who also ended up in a coma and losing her baby, there truly is no pain like it.

We need the right thing to be done in tomorrows meeting.

I know what it’s like when people look away from your child and your pain. I can’t support a review that shuts out so many voices. Ahead of meeting @wesstreeting tomorrow, we ask that no harmed family is left behind by the UHSussex maternity review. theguardian.com/society/2026/a…

Some of parallels between this and what is happening in maternity are striking but here is the difference; the neglect is being tolerated in one area of society and not in the other. Neglect is neglect, our children are just as dead and the accountability should be the same. 1/

It is impossible to imagine @wesstreeting would value the babies who died in Sussex any less than those who died in Yorkshire. @DHSCgovuk @peterkyle @Tom4EWAS @AlisonEBennett @JohnMilneLD @sianberry @griffitha

Families in Sussex who've been calling for Ockenden's appointment to their review since June, feel frustrated by today's announcement. "It is impossible to imagine he [Streeting] would value the babies who died in Sussex any less than those who died in Yorkshire," they said.

This is a u-turn from @wesstreeting, but it's the best kind for the best reasons. I'm so, so glad he's listened to Leeds families and agreed for a proper, in-depth, independent review of Leeds maternity services led by @DOckendenLtd. Sussex next, please. bbc.com/news/articles/…

The inquest into the death of Robyn and Jonny Davis's son, Orlando, judged there had been “a gross failure to provide basic medical attention” during his birth.

(🧵) Yesterday was, rightly, focused on news that Donna Ockenden would chair an independent review into Leeds maternity services. Having initially ruled her out, Wes Streeting changed tack after listening to families. As I wrote yesterday, Sussex families want the same...

After the announcement that @DOckendenLtd will chair the Leeds maternity inquiry, @wesstreeting must appoint her to lead the maternity investigation in Sussex too. Sussex families have released the following statement:

The @CareQualityComm problem: Worthing Hospital Maternity @UHSussex: Overall - Good 🟢 Safe - Requires Improvement🟠 Effective - Good 🟢 Caring - Good 🟢 Responsive - Good 🟢 Well led - Good 🟢 🚩If the unit isn’t Safe, what good are the other goods? bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity, I remain committed to bringing people and organisations together in order to transform maternity services through bold policy change. I spoke to the BBC about the Baroness Amos' interim report on maternity & neonatal services 🎥

Whilst it is encouraging that Worthing Hospital maternity services have improved overall in the latest CQC report to Good. It is concerning that the Safety is rated as Requires Improvement. Improving safety must be a focus for UHSx Trust. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Racism and 'poor' staff relationships factors in maternity care failings, report finds bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…