SUSSEX — Donna Ockenden will head an independent review into maternity services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust. The review will investigate care provided by the trust in Sussex.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the independent investigation last year. He met families who had experienced bereavement and harm and agreed the inquiry would begin as soon as possible, having heard accounts of avoidable loss, harm and disability suffered by women, as well as the experiences of fathers and partners.

"It was really important that we get this review up and running, that it has the confidence of families who've campaigned really hard to get to today, and have suffered, as I've heard on so many occasions now first hand, the most unimaginable, painful trauma," Streeting said.

Ockenden, a former clinical midwife, previously led a review into failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and is currently leading reviews of maternity services in Nottingham and Leeds. She said it was an honour to be trusted by families.

Campaigner Katie Fowler said the appointment was a welcome step forward on behalf of the families. "As a group, we have been calling for this review for two years, all while living with devastating loss and harm caused to us and our babies," she said. "While the full scope of the review is yet to be agreed, Mr Streeting was receptive to the arguments we made as to why a full inclusive review is needed," Fowler added.

Fowler said families trusted Ockenden implicitly.

NHS trust chief executive Dr Andy Heeps welcomed the appointment. "We will do everything we can to support the review and help families get the answers they seek," he said. "We have made important changes in recent years to strengthen the safety and quality of the care we provide to people now. That work never ends, and our staff remain deeply committed to providing safe, compassionate care."

The trust said it could not comment while legal proceedings were ongoing. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust said the review announcement followed Streeting's meetings with families who had experienced bereavement and harm.