29. Mummy to two daughters and my angel son Orlando Nova Davis. Speaking up against the broken maternity system, birth trauma, birth injury and baby loss.
December will be coming up to 5 years this investigation has been going on for. 5 years!!!! Individuals that caused harm still working and we are still awaiting answers and decisions. The @nmcnews is not fit for purpose. It is so clear- why is this still not being acted upon.
https://t.co/RwtAOLyISx the @nmcnews have been one of the worst organisations involved in our case. Incompetence, constant chasing on our front, at most points, we are having to point out key issues. Despite obvious and multiple failings in our experience with Orlando.
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... (🧵)
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.
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: https://t.co/E4vgcq4aOK
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.
Another mum who was woken from an induced coma to be told the worst news about her baby, following failings in maternity care at UHSussex
@wesstreeting
https://t.co/zVFrWo975g
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.
https://t.co/jfjgtIGOGt
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/
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.
https://t.co/bCRymurX9f
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?
https://t.co/AZEUDWFMHE
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 🎥