Wes Streeting to meet bereaved TEWV families over inquiry

In the New Year, Wes Streeting will meet with bereaved families,  as well as solicitors from legal firm Watson Woodhouse, who have been pushing the government for an inquiry into deaths at Tees, Esk, and Wear Valleys (TEWV) mental health trust. 

During Labour's election campaign, leaders promised that they would improve mental health care nationally, and "act on recommendations" about TEWV. 
Bereaved parents have welcomed the news, saying they hope that telling their families' stories will "spur change at a trust that is beyond broken."

David Moore outside since-closed West Lane Hospital. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) David Moore has been campaigning for more scrutiny and improved care since his daughter Emily was admitted to TEWV-run children's hospital West Lane, which has since been shut down by the Care Quality Commission after a string of deaths.

Sadly, Emily took her own life whilst receiving inpatient treatment at Lanchester Road Hospital, in Durham, only days after her 18th birthday. 

Now, the Moore family are fighting for a "full, public inquiry" into the trust, with David promising to "go on about it until the day I die."

David said: "The meeting is really good news, this is definitely a step in the right direction, and it makes me feel very positive.

"At the end of the day, nothing will ever bring our children back, but our aim at this meeting will be to make sure other families' kids are cared for better and earlier.

"There's a lot of questions about Emily's care that need to be answered, and a lot that the Health Secretary needs to know."

Cheryl Allan is fighting in memory of her son Ty. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Cheryl Allan, from Middlesbrough, lost her son Ty Channce, 20, who was an inpatient at Roseberry Park Hospital. 

Since then, a coroner criticised TEWV for a number of failings that contributed to his death; Staff did not ensure Ty was taking his medication, and when he died, he had missed 34 days' worth of medication; they also failed to reintroduce gradual unescorted leave. 

Cheryl hopes that meeting with Wes Streeting will "make him listen to our voices" and "fix the broken system" of UK mental health care. 

She is also hoping to raise aftercare for parents and family members in the "dark days" after losing a child. 

Cheryl says that Ty's death has "destroyed" the family, and both her and her partner have been left with health issues she believes are rooted in stress and grief. 

The DHSC has said Wes Streeting is committed to meeting with families. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) "It's too little too late for us, but I do not want anyone else to go through this. If the last thing I do is making sure that Ty's legacy is one of change, I will be happy. 

"I will keep fighting for my son until my last breath."

This follows an open letter sent on behalf of bereaved families to the Labour Party in the summer, aiming to prevent anyone else from going through "the heartbreak and devastation" of losing a loved one in mental health care, by commissioning an inquiry. 

Recommended reading: 

• TEWV staff says patients might be at risk after new system rollout
• TEWV boss: Organisation is 'now very different' after teens' deaths
• TEWV fined £200k after Christie Harnett and Patient X deaths

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In the last CQC report, the ombudsman did note that there had been improvements made at the trust since inspectors last visited in 2021, but also said there was more to be done to improve staffing and safety. 

Alistair Smith, a solicitor at Watson Woodhouse, said: "We feel sure that bereaved families, who have lost a loved one whilst under the care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, will be delighted with this news and we have contacted Mr Streeting’s office for more information as to the involvement of families.

"This is an opportunity for families to raise concerns directly to help drive positive change."