Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust: Statutory Inquiry

On three occasions this year, I have met with some of the families who lost their loved ones under the care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. I would like to place on record my deep and sincere condolences to all the families who have taken the time to speak to me. Each one of them has suffered an unimaginable loss, and their courageous and tireless campaigning—not only on behalf of their loved ones, but also on behalf of everyone in urgent need of mental health support—has been inspirational.

I am grateful for their time and for sharing their experiences. What happened to their loved ones is unacceptable. Patients should be safe in mental health services, and their families should be assured that they are safe. Too many people have experienced care that has been well below the high standard that we all deserve when we are at our most vulnerable. I would also like to thank the many local MPs who have campaigned on behalf of their constituents and brought these issues to my attention.

This Government take these concerns extremely seriously. After careful consideration, I have decided to establish a statutory inquiry, under the Inquiries Act 2005, into the deaths of mental health patients at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. I am concerned that services at the trust have not improved to the extent that they should have, and that there has been a lack of transparency around the circumstances of some of these tragic incidents. I believe a statutory inquiry is the only way to get to the bottom of the failings at the trust and to ensure we derive the learning required to prevent such poor outcomes in the future.

Information on the chair and terms of reference will be confirmed as soon as possible.

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