Families 'in limbo' over NHS trust inquiry delay

7 hours ago

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Families campaigned for a public inquiry into the NHS trust for many years

Ison Harrison Twenty-three people, men and women, sit in three rows and look solemnly at the camera. They are in a white room sitting on a grey platform. Most of the people at the front have their hands clasped over their knees. — Families campaigned for a public inquiry into the NHS trust for many years

Grieving families and patients say they are "in a state of limbo" over delays to a public inquiry into mental health care at an NHS trust.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the probe into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) in December.

Lawyers representing those affected said they were told an inquiry chair would be appointed by the end of February, along with the terms of reference.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it was working "at pace" to confirm an appointment as soon as possible. The trust said it would continue to cooperate fully with the inquiry.

The government confirmed a secretary to the inquiry had been appointed, which is a senior civil servant responsible for its logistics, and would take up their post in June.

A DHSC spokesperson said: "We are committed to ensuring the voices of patients and the families affected by failures at TEWV are at the heart of this inquiry.

"We have been listening carefully to them about the qualities they expect to see in the Chair, and we are working at pace to confirm an appointment as soon as possible."

Family handouts A composite image showing the faces of Christie Harnett, Nadia Sharif and Emily Moore. Miss Harness has shoulder-length auburn hair and blue eyes. She is smiling at the camera. Miss Sharif has long dark hair and brown eyes. She is looking at the camera, posing with a neutral expression. Miss Moore has long light brown hair with a side parting and brown eyes. She smiles at the camera. — The families of Christie Harnett, Nadia Sharif and Emily Moore were among those frustrated by the lack of action

Those who voiced their "growing anger" included the families of Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, who were treated at West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough, where they died by suicide both aged 17, and Emily Moore, 18, who also took her own life after being treated there.

A report previously found 119 failings in the teenagers' care.

Christie's father Michael Harnett, who founded the Rebuild Trust campaign group, said the government had "gone silent".

"We cannot wait for another tragedy before this inquiry actually begins."

'Pattern of delay'

A statement via lawyers Ison Harrison, who said they were representing 130 individuals and families affected, added the "lack of progress risks undermining confidence in the government's commitment to uncovering the truth".

Senior solicitor Alistair Smith added: "We are seeing the same pattern of delay that has characterised the Trust's history."

TEWV chief executive Alison Smith said she had continued to meet with families affected, and it was an opportunity to "learn what we could have done better and how we continue to improve".

"This has been incredibly courageous, particularly when retelling experiences that are often difficult and distressing," she said.

"We will cooperate fully with the public inquiry with honesty, openness, humility, grace and kindness."