Major investigation begins into baby deaths at Sussex hospitals

Donna Ockenden opened an independent review into more than 1,000 cases of maternity and newborn care at Sussex NHS hospitals on 5 September in Brighton. Bereaved parents started giving evidence, including Susan Cacciacarro, whose daughter Chiara was stillborn at nearly 37 weeks after staff delayed delivery despite the baby losing weight. A February 2026 BBC/New Statesman probe found at least 55 baby deaths may have been avoidable.