Essex Mental Health Investigation Chairman vows to “find” the truth

Nikki Fox

Health Correspondent, BBC

Lewis Adams

BBC News, Essex

Baroness Lampard is inquiring about the leader

Despite the difficulty of obtaining documents from the NHS, England's first public investigation into mental health death vowed to "find the truth".

The first meeting of major evidence in the Lampard Inquiry – more than 2,000 deaths examined by Essex County NHS inpatient units between 2000 and 2023 – has begun in London.

Baroness Lampard said that while the hearing "breaks new grounds", 21 legal notices have been issued to the NHS organizations to force them to submit evidence.

"We will look for the truth," she said, adding that she will use her legal power without hesitation to force the generation of evidence that has not been provided.

Baroness Lampard said the survey focused on “the biggest concern about what went wrong in nearly a quarter of a century” and that it was “the meaning of the country.”

Lampard asked about entering phase two and heard evidence in September and November

Richard Daniel/BBC family stands outside the Arundel house in London, with public inquiry going to the next stage. There are pictures of about 12 people holding placards, posters and banners, demanding justice. One reads 'If the lesson is learned, there will be only one death. — Lampard asked about entering phase two and heard evidence in September and November

"We are not impressed by the large number of deadline extensions... and the occasions where the provider does not explicitly require the material," said Nicholas Griffin KC, the attorney for the investigation.

He said there were problems with paper records, the status of “missing documents” and the status of private providers.

Mr Griffin said it was a criminal offence to suppress, cover up, alter or undermine the relevant evidence and said the provider should have the appropriate resources to respond to the investigation.

He said the investigation should not be postponed because of this.

The inquiry has heard about 80 households’ impact statements

Richard Daniel/BBC family members stand outside of Arundel in London to protest. They hold up banners. People read: “The people we love cannot rest until the truth revealed by the failure of Essex mental health.” — The inquiry has heard about 80 households’ impact statements

The initial government survey of hospitalized deaths only 11 out of 14,000 employees agreed to participate.

But Mr Griffin said the investigation still faces obstacles to information flow.

He said the investigative team had asked providers and regulators to assure that they would not take action against employees if they provided information to inquiries or failed to provide information in the past.

He said nearly everyone, including the largest provider, refused to offer such a commitment, and said the investigation was reflecting on further steps taken.

Over the next three weeks, Baroness Lampard will hear from nursing regulators, experts and CEO of Essex Partnership NHS University Trust (EPUT).

She said she would face difficult topics “directly” and promised to put those affected in the “heart of inquiry”, adding that she wanted to make “lasting, positive advice to improve mental health care in England”.

Melanie Leahy describes the unit of her son Matthew in evidence of the investigation, who died in "hell"

Richard Daniel/BBC Melanie Leahy outside the inquiry. She held a photo with her son Matthew. She has shoulder-length blonde hair and wears a sand coat. The other protesters were on her side. — Melanie Leahy describes the unit of her son Matthew in evidence of the investigation, who died in "hell"

Melanie Leahy's 20-year-old son Matthew, who died in NHS care, competed with campaigners outside the Arundel House hearing.

"It's been years of heartbreak, unresolved issues and battles are just heard," she said.

Ms. Lich, who has been running for more than a decade, said it was a real opportunity.

"In Matthew's investigation, they (the person in charge of Eput) walked out of the back door, didn't talk to anyone, and took them out now."

Campaigners and lawyers acting for families who have lost loved ones allegedly remain unsafe for mental health services.

It is understood that the investigation team has forwarded the issues of continued concern to the regulator.

Mr Griffin said they will look at the extent to which recent investigations and deaths may reveal the “really being resolved” in Essex.

Dr. Emma Ireton is a legal expert who wrote a book on public inquiry

Dr. Emma Ireton of Nottingham Trent University, looking at the camera. Her shoulders have long brown hair and blue eyes. She wore long sleeves, shirt and white necklace. — Dr. Emma Ireton is a legal expert who wrote a book on public inquiry

He said Dr. Emma Ireton, associate professor at Nottingham Law School, will present the final recommendations on how to implement the investigation.

EPUT CEO Paul Scott apologizes for his death under his trust.

“As the inquiry progresses, over the past 24 years, people will have a lot of people who are loved and missed and I want to say I regret their losses,” he said.

The evidence will continue until May 15 and will resume in July.

Baroness Lampard is expected to make recommendations on change in 2027.