AT least 55 babies who died at an NHS trust may have survived with better care, a review reveals.
A Freedom of Information request by a group of bereaved parents found the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust carried out 227 internal studies into maternity tot deaths between 2019 and 2023.
In 55 cases it was indicated different care either “may” or was “likely” to have made a difference.
An independent probe into maternity care, covering 15 families, was announced last year.
They include Abigail Miller, who died at two days in 2022 in Brighton.
An inquest ruled she was likely to have lived if mum Katie Fowler was treated sooner.
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Abigail’s father Robert Miller said: “It’s about our trauma and our harm and not being re-traumatised unnecessarily.
“We’re still of the opinion that a judge-led public inquiry is really needed to hold people to account, to really scrutinise and be able to compel people to give evidence.”
He added: “To us, improvement is not happening quick enough to save babies‘ lives.”
The Department of Health said: “Every family who has lost a baby deserves answers, and we are determined to ensure they get them.
“We are actively working with families in Sussex to appoint a chair and agree terms of reference for this vital review.
“No one should experience substandard maternity care, and this government will not rest until women, babies and families get the care they need, in Sussex and beyond.”