Parents who used maternity services at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester are being encouraged to participate in a major independent review into care standards across Sussex, which holds its first family meeting today.
The review, led by senior midwife and investigator Donna Ockenden, is examining more than 1,000 cases of maternity and neonatal care dating back to 2018. The first family meeting is taking place this Saturday, 5 September 2026, marking a significant milestone in the investigation into University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust operates four main sites covered by the investigation: St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, Worthing Hospital, the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
What the review means for Chichester families
The investigation follows a series of safety concerns regarding maternity and neonatal care within the trust.
For Chichester residents, the review follows a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published in July 2026, which rated maternity services at St Richard’s Hospital as ‘Requires Improvement’.
The review is being conducted on an “opt-out” basis. This means that families whose cases meet the criteria from 2018 onwards will be automatically contacted by the review team. Families have the right to decline participation, but the review team is urging as many people as possible to share their experiences to ensure a comprehensive understanding of service failures and successes.
How to get involved
Families who have experienced care at St Richard’s or other trust hospitals since 2018 are eligible to be part of the process.
The goal of the review is to identify necessary improvements in safety and clinical practice to prevent future harm.
Families who wish to share their experiences or have questions about whether their care is being reviewed can find more information or contact the team through the official Ockenden Maternity Review website.
Direct enquiries can also be made via email to the investigation team at sussexreview@donnaockenden.com.
The review team has confirmed that further communication and engagement opportunities will be available for families across the West Sussex region, including those served by St Richard’s.
