Home / Health / Families in Limbo Over NHS Trust Inquiry Delays
Families in Limbo Over NHS Trust Inquiry Delays
14 May
Summary
- Inquiry into mental health care at TEWV trust faces significant delays.
- Families of deceased patients express growing anger and frustration.
- Government working to appoint inquiry chair, facing criticism for slowness.
Grieving families and patients are expressing dismay over significant delays to a public inquiry into mental health care at the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV). Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the probe in December, but those affected report being told an inquiry chair and terms of reference would be confirmed by the end of February, which has not yet happened.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated they are "working at pace" to finalize an appointment, with a senior civil servant confirmed as the inquiry's secretary, expected to start in June. This pace has drawn criticism, with families of 17-year-old Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, and 18-year-old Emily Moore—all treated at West Lane Hospital and who died by suicide—feeling ignored.
Lawyers representing approximately 130 individuals and families noted that the "lack of progress risks undermining confidence in the government's commitment to uncovering the truth." The trust's chief executive acknowledged the need to learn from past failures and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry, emphasizing honesty and humility.
