The tragic case of Orlando Davis, who died just 14 days after being born prematurely at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex, has left his parents "absolutely broken" and highlighting a catalogue of mistakes made by the NHS trust that cared for him. Robyn and Jonathan Davis, from Steyning, are now calling for a public inquiry into maternity care failures across the country.
Baroness Amos's review of 12 NHS hospital trusts, including University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx), which operates Worthing Hospital, highlighted concerning issues such as inconsistent care and a lack of kindness towards families. While the report praised the dedication of NHS staff despite significant workloads and capacity pressures, it also noted that families were not consistently listened to. The review examined 12 trusts but the scope of its findings has left many questioning whether a wider inquiry is needed.
Robyn Davis, a former midwife herself, described maternity failings as a "huge problem" in the NHS and welcomed the recommendation for an independent review into Sussex's maternity services, led by Donna Ockenden. However, she expressed hope that this would lead to a broader public inquiry to uncover the root causes of these failures and put measures in place to prevent similar tragedies occurring.
Dr Andy Heeps, chief executive at UHSx, acknowledged the shortcomings, stating "We know there are families whose care here fell below the standards they had every right to expect. I am deeply sorry for that, and for the harm and distress they have suffered as a result." The trust is committed to adopting national taskforce recommendations and improving maternity services.
The ongoing reviews and personal testimonies of families like the Davises underscore the need for systemic improvements within maternity services. It's estimated that over 1,000 cases will be examined in the upcoming review into Sussex's maternity services. Families who have concerns about their care can contact their GP or NHS 111 for advice and access comprehensive information on maternity services through official NHS channels.