"Their apologies are just hollow", says bereaved mum at mental health deaths Inquiry

An inquiry looking into the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex begins its second week today (16 September).

The Lampard Inquiry is looking into the deaths of about 2000 mental health patients between 2000 and 2023.

A barrister offered an apology to bereaved families on behalf of a mental health trust at an inquiry into deaths of patients in Essex as she acknowledged a series of failings.

Eleanor Grey KC, for Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), said there had been "serious issues raised about staff conduct including the neglect and abuse of patients, staff falling asleep on duty and inadequate patient observations".

She said "low staffing levels including those below those authorised by the trust were reported on various wards".

The barrister said "we acknowledge that there have been serious allegations of sexual assault of patients by staff and also of staff by other staff members".

Lisa Morris, who lost her son Ben while he was in mental health care, has said she doesn't accept this apology. She said: "Too many apologies. They're just hollow, they mean nothing.

"I think they just add insult to injury. And I don't understand anyone who tries to defend them EPUT or justify their failures.

"These deaths were unpreventable. They shouldn't have happened. What are the care centres there for if not to prevent these deaths from happening.

"My son has died from 17 failures, he didn't even have a care plan."

EPUT was formed in 2017 from a merger of the former North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the former South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

It provides mental health, community health and learning disability services.

Addressing inquiry chairwoman Baroness Kate Lampard at Wednesday's hearing in Chelmsford, Ms Grey said: "EPUT's board and its staff are committed to doing all that they can to support you, chair, and all the inquiry team to give patients, family and carers the answers they have been waiting for."

She said there had been a "major recruitment drive" in 2023 with 1,700 new colleagues hired.

And she outlined a number of further steps already taken.

She said CCTV and bodycams are used, there is a "renewed focus on listening to families and carers" and she referred to a five-year programme of change called Time To Care.

"We know there's more to do and much to learn from this inquiry and those who will share their experiences," said Ms Grey.

The Lampard Inquiry will hear from families who have lost their loved ones, as well as former patients, until the 24th September.

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