Bereaved Essex Mum says Lampard Inquiry has been "muted"
Melanie Leahy hopes to improve national mental health care after meeting with health secretary, Wes Streeting, and Baroness Gillian Merron
The families of people who died while under the care of mental health services in Essex have called the Lampard Inquiry is "muted" and "small".
The Lampard Inquiry - which started last month and is expected to last more than two years - is investigating more than 2000 deaths over a 23-year period.
Those who have lost loved ones say "too few of the bereaved have been allowed to take part" and "life-saving changes won't be made soon enough."
A month on from the Inquiry, two bereaved mothers who campaigned for the Inquiry, have held an urgent meeting with the Health Secretary.
Melanie Leahy tells "she's fought too hard for the Inquiry to fall on its knees."
Ms Leahy lost her son, Matthew, just seven days after he was admitted to a psychiatric ward at Broomfield hospital.
Ms Leahy tells us "lawyers have worked for 7 years now and have not been paid a penny."
"Despite there being significantly more than 2000 deaths there are only about 50 families who are core participants. Nobody has been contacted personally and notified that there is even an inquiry on.
"Critical witnesses are being told they’re not wanted."
"Safeguarding pathways to save lives has still not happened - people are still routinely dying for lack of anyone safe to speak to.
"In one case alone there have been 400 ignored safeguarding reports.
Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, was in attendance.
Mr Alaba tells us, "The Secretary of State was pleased with what he heard. There's a long way to go but it was a really productive meeting."
"Hearing what the families have been through is tragic.
"Speaking as a parent, my heart goes out to them.
"The amount of strength and resilience that they're showing is to be commended.
"The Secretary of State is going to go away and look at the issues presented. There was good communication today."
Ms Leahy and Ms Hopper are hoping to assist the Health Secretary in plans to improve mental health care services going forward.
"I receive calls from bereaved families all over the UK daily", says Ms Leahy.
"They may not be part of the Essex inquiry but these issues take place everywhere, and people in care are continuing to lose their lives unnecessarily as we speak."
"We're going to sit down and look at the national issues now and try to advise and address them."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to reveal his 10 year plan for the NHS, including for mental health services, today (21 October).
The Inquiry tell us they're "prioritising public awareness across Essex and it has been reported widely in both the national and local media, which, in turn has resulted in many more families contacting the Inquiry."
Baroness Lampard says she's made it "very clear that families will be at the heart of this Inquiry."
"The welfare and safety of everyone who engages with the Inquiry is crucial to the Inquiry team. The Inquiry has a dedicated safeguarding lead and has made a number of referrals in relation to safeguarding concerns. "