More than 1,000 cases are expected to be investigated as part of a maternity review at a hospital trust, in a move welcomed by campaigners.
The investigation into University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UH Sussex) will look at cases dating back to 2018, including all harmed and bereaved families, unless they opt out.
The Truth for Our Babies group welcomed the “full and inclusive review” after spending years pushing for a probe “that reflects the scale of harm experienced due to failures in care”.
The group has previously said more than 60 families in Sussex have been affected by maternity care failings.
Senior midwife and investigator Donna Ockenden has been announced to lead the review, a key request from the families as they met Health Secretary Wes Streeting in Brighton last month.
Of the review, the group said: “It gives us hope that families will finally receive the answers they have been seeking.
“We need to know what has failed, why so many families have been harmed, and what immediate and then further and long-term actions will be taken to improve maternity safety for future parents and babies in Sussex.”
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed the review will cover cases of stillbirth, neonatal death, maternal death, neonatal harm caused by severe brain injuries, and severe maternal harm.
The department added the vast majority of births in the NHS have good outcomes and women should continue to attend all maternity appointments and are encouraged to raise any concerns with staff without hesitation.
Mr Streeting said: “The families in Sussex who have campaigned so tirelessly for this review have shown extraordinary courage.
“The scope we have set out is deliberately broad and inclusive with all eligible cases included automatically unless families choose otherwise.
“Donna Ockenden has already shown, time and again, that she has the expertise and confidence of the families to lead a thorough review, and I have every confidence she will do the same in Sussex.”
As chairwoman of the independent review, Ms Ockenden will have the power to consider cases from before 2018, and cases where women believe they meet the criteria of severe harm but have incomplete or missing records.
Anita Jewitt, head of medical negligence at law firm Stewarts, said the opt-out approach is hugely significant but added that clarity around the scope is “crucial”.
She said: “While automatically including families from 2018 onwards will capture a substantial body of evidence, it’s equally important that families whose experiences fall outside that period are clearly encouraged and supported to opt in.
“Meaningful learning depends on ensuring that all voices who wish to be heard are able to come forward.”
Full terms of reference will be decided in the coming months.
Ms Ockenden said: “It’s a privilege to have the trust of so many families across Sussex.
“Family voices will run through the heart of the review; their perspective is essential in ensuring that the review is fully inclusive and reflective of their experiences (what has happened to them), and meets their needs.
“Together with families, we will develop the terms of reference of the review to make sure that all families have the opportunity for their voice to be heard – especially disadvantaged, seldom heard and global majority families.”
