Fighting for Safer Maternity Care

Since becoming an MP in 2024, Alison Bennett MP has worked alongside Truth for our Babies, a group set up by bereaved Sussex parents whose babies died as a result of failings in maternity care at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust is responsible for four hospitals, including the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The families have campaigned tirelessly for over two years for accountability and improvements to maternity services.

From the outset, Alison backed ‘Truth for Our Babies’ calls for a full investigation into maternity failings at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust led by Donna Ockenden, the highly respected and trusted midwife who had previously led the landmark investigations into maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford, and Nottingham.

Over the past two years, Alison has represented the over sixty families who have faced devastating losses at the hands of UHS, repeatedly raising their concerns and experiences in Parliament.

• In September, Alison spoke in a debate on maternity care and called for an independent investigation into maternity failings at UHS
• In October, Alison led a Westminster Hall debate for Baby Loss Awareness Week, and highlighted the experiences of Sussex families highlighting the experiences of Sussex families and calling for urgent maternity reform.
• Alongside fellow Sussex MPs from across the House, Alison signed a joint cross-party letter to the Health Secretary urging the Government to establish an independent review.

Despite Alison and fellow Sussex MPs raising this issue in Parliament and supporting Sussex families in making their case directly with the then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, the Government initially refused to commission a Donna Ockenden-led review.

However, in April 2026, after years of fighting and campaigning by bereaved families, the Government accepted these parents’ call for a full independent review of maternity services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust led by Donna Ockenden.

This moment marked progress for the families who had fought tirelessly for answers and accountability, but came far too late for many families involved.

In June 2026, following the publication of the Nottingham Maternity Review, Alison again raised the Sussex review in Parliament, emphasising the importance of ensuring lessons are learned and accountability is delivered.

She has also praised the implementation of the Hillsborough Law, which would require public authorities to act with candour during major investigations. Once enacted, this would apply to the Sussex maternity review, helping to ensure that no organisation or individual can refuse to cooperate and that bereaved families receive the transparency they deserve.

Alison will continue working alongside Sussex families until they receive the answers they have fought so hard for and until every family can have confidence that maternity services are safe, compassionate and accountable.