The Health Secretary says he is “horrified” by the experiences of families who have lost loved ones in the care of a scandal-hit trust as the wait for a public inquiry continues.
Wes Streeting in February confirmed to families calling for a public inquiry into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Trust that he would reach a decision by the end of March – but after a further meeting in Middlesbrough on Saturday (March 29), families are still in the dark.
In the last meeting, on February 13, the senior minister said the group had delivered a “strong case” for an inquiry and “given [him] a lot to think about” and over a month later has applauded families for their “courage and bravery” in campaigning despite not confirming when a decision will be made.
Teesside Magistrates' Court heard TEWV failed to adequately risk assess patients' self-harm and suicide risk, or implement effective ways to reduce those risks.
Following the meeting, Mr Streeting told The Northern Echo: “I’m really horrified by the experiences these families have had and continue to have following these appalling failures of care.
“It is really important to me that they get the answers and justice they deserve. The reason I have come here today is to share some thoughts about how we might do that.
“I’ve received very helpful feedback from them so now I am going to go back, reflect and then report back with some conclusions, actions and next steps.
“As ever, I take my hat off to these families. They have been through the most unimaginable trauma and every time they come to meet with me or others to talk about that trauma they relive it.
“They show enormous courage and tremendous bravery in their fight for justice and they have got my support. I want to make sure the Government delivers for them. I’ve found today’s meeting extremely moving.”
The Northern Echo understands that during the meeting, families were all given the opportunity to speak about their and their loved ones experiences in the hands of the trust – which was just last year fined £200,000 following the deaths of two patients.
One family who attended the meeting was the family of 17-year-old Nadia Sharif.
Nadia, who grew up in Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. She had a love for theme parks and was a technically gifted Mathematician.
Investigators also uncovered CCTV footage of Nadia, 17, being 'dragged' down a corridor backwards through access to a separate serious investigation report.
Emily, 18, from Shildon, took her own life in February 2020 whilst she was an inpatient at Lanchester Road mental health hospital, in Durham.
Her family have been waiting five years for answers and feared an inquest to deliver them would never happen after TEWV which cared for her initially, said one wasn’t needed after it was cleared in the criminal courts of giving Emily unsafe care.
However, in late February, a coroner ruled that an inquest will be held in 2026 looking at the teenager’s care - and that a jury will decide its conclusion.
After the meeting, Mr Moore told The Northern Echo: “Everyone in that room wants the same thing. They want a full statutory public inquiry.
“Many people in the room stood up including myself and said they didn’t care how long it takes. Five years ten years – at the end of the day saving a life is more important that time or money.
“Everyone in that room just wants justice for who they have lost. Actions speak louder than words.”
A spokesperson from the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with the families who have lost loved ones.
“We understand that the government is considering its position on a public inquiry. As an NHS Trust, we have no role or influence on public inquiries. These are a matter for the government. We will co-operate fully as required with openness and transparency.
“We have made substantial progress whilst acknowledging there is more to do. These changes are starting to have a positive impact, and we remain 100% committed to transforming our services and improving people’s experiences of our Trust.”
Recommended:
- Inquest to be held into death of Emily Moore under TEWV's care
- Wes Streeting to meet families calling for TEWV inquiry
- Wes Streeting promises TEWV public inquiry decision next month
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