Home / Health / Health Trust Faces Public Inquiry After Young Patient Deaths
Health Trust Faces Public Inquiry After Young Patient Deaths
12 Dec
Summary
- A public inquiry will investigate Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS trust.
- Several young patients died by suicide under the trust's care.
- The health secretary cited families' campaigning for the inquiry.
A comprehensive public inquiry will be held into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS foundation trust after multiple patient deaths. Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the investigation in Darlington, directly addressing families who have lost loved ones under the trust's care. He stated that prior investigations were insufficient and a statutory inquiry is now necessary to provide the truth and accountability families deserve.
The inquiry will focus on the alarming number of suicides among the trust's patients over the last decade. This action follows the tragic deaths of 17-year-olds Nadia Sharif and Christie Harnett in 2019, and 18-year-old Emily Moore in 2020, all of whom died by suicide while receiving treatment. The trust was recently fined £215,000 in April 2024 for failing to mitigate risks for patients who had previously self-harmed.
Local MP Andy McDonald expressed relief, calling the inquiry a significant achievement born from years of effort by affected families. Alison Smith, chief executive of the trust, extended her deepest sympathies and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry, committing to transparency and meaningful action for improvement. The announcement offers a measure of hope for families seeking answers and justice.
