Families say they're left with 'life sentence of pain and grief' at mental health inquiry
The Lampard Inquiry will continue to hear commemorative evidence today (17 September)
An inquiry looking into at least two thousand mental health patient deaths in Essex has heard from bereaved families and friends today.
Friends and family members have fought back tears sharing loving memories of those they've lost and the pain it's caused.
The Lampard Inquiry is investigating at least 2000 deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex from 2000 to 2023.
Last week, a representative from the Essex Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust gave evidence.
Eleanor Grey KC, apologised on behalf of the Trust, and acknowledged their failings.
Sam Cook has lost her sister, cousin and lifelong friend after they'd been in mental health care.
She told Greatest Hits Radio Essex that she rejected the Trust's apology.
"It's not going to bring anyone back is it? You can say sorry all you like but change needs to happen, fast."
"My sister Paula Poretti took her life in 2022 after months of trying to get her help and no help being available.
She talked of a domino effect.
"We need people in the system that actually care about mental health.
"I know how much this has taken a toll on my mental health. All these families are struggling so much, and it's going to cause more of a strain on the system."
"Network of collective trauma"
Stuart Ringer, who lost his friend, Gosha Novak, after caring for her for 9 years, also spoke of the "collective trauma".
"I never sought help during these years. I should have. I thought I could deal with it all. I couldn't.
"We are here to look at the deaths of over 2000 people. Each death is a tradgedy.
"But what we are not looking at is beyond this. To the network of collective trauma. This runs into a multiple of that 2000.
"We are all in search of answers, accountability and justice. But what does that justice look at? It will be different for everyone. For me personally, to heal, it will be to see real and systemic change in the way mental healthcare is delivered."
"We are left with a life sentence of pain and grief."
Further commemorative statements will be heard tomorrow and Wednesday this week, and then again Monday and Tuesday week commencing 23 September.
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