Calls for new TEWV chief exec to meet with grieving families

New Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) chief executive Alison Smith should meet with families as soon as possible, they say, to prove she is committed to change.

The mental health trust has been dogged by calls for a public inquiry after being convicted and fined over the deaths of two patients and blamed at inquests for contributing to the deaths of others, slammed by watchdogs and branded as 'requiring improvement'.

Ms Smith was announced as the trust’s new chief exec on Friday (May 23), saying in a statement: “I am delighted with this exciting opportunity to lead the Trust. At a time of huge change across the NHS, mental health has never been more important.

Alison Smith, the new chief executive of the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley's NHS Mental Health Trust. (Image: TEWV) “I am committed to listening to and working with staff, patients, carers, families and partners as we continue to build on the improvements already underway in the Trust.”

Families have asked her to commit to a meeting as soon as possible when she takes up the role in September.

David Moore’s daughter Emily, 18, from Shildon, died five years ago while under TEWV’s care and has been “fighting” for a meeting with the trust and families since.

Emily Moore. (Image: The Northern Echo)  “She should meet with us as soon as possible,” he said.

“She needs to listen to families and not just those who have lost loved ones, but those who are still in hospitals and struggling to get the help they need. She needs to understand the problems.

“I’ve been fighting for six years to get a meeting between families and the trust.

“I wanted somebody from outside the trust who could come in and see it with a fresh pair of eyes, and thankfully, we’ve got that.

“She says she’s committed to listening and improving; meeting us would be a great way for her to prove that.”

David Moore. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) An inquest jury found TWEV’s failings contributed to 20-year-old Ty Channce’s death in 2021. He was found dead, having been allowed out of the hospital for the first time in nine months.

His mum Cheryl Allan added: “I think she should meet us and hear Ty’s and everyone’s stories.

“If she wants to change things I’d want her to explain how the staff will be trained and given the right resources, but also commit that if things go wrong or they make mistakes they own up to them instead of trying to avoid it.”

Ty Channce. (Image: Family Handout) Alison Smith has been deputy chief executive of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust since 2022. It, like TEWV, is rated as “requiring improvement” by the CQC.

Last month, the watchdog said it had shown “significant improvements” after a previous inspection raised concerns that patients “weren’t receiving safe care and treatment” and an “over-reliance on agency staff” was negatively impacting care.

Ms Smith replaces Brent Kilmurray, who left TEWV after five years to join the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust in April, in turn bagging a £50,000 pay rise.

Brent Kilmurray. (Image: TEWV)

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That news sparked outrage among families whose loved ones died due to a catalogue of failures during his time as chief exec.

Earlier this month, trust chair David Jennings announced he was stepping down due to “personal reasons” after three years. Patrick Scott has been appointed interim chief executive until Ms Smith arrives with Bev Reilly as interim chair.

TEWV has been contacted for comment.