4,000 Patient Reports Ignored Amidst Inquiry, Manager Claims

A senior clinical manager has testified at the Lampard Inquiry, alleging that he was instructed to dispose of approximately 4,000 unresolved patient safety reports at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT). Brian O'Donnell stated that the directive, given at the end of 2024, was to "get these gone," suggesting a panic-driven attempt to clear records while a public inquiry was underway.

The reports in question included serious incidents such as self-harm, assaults on staff, and racial abuse. O'Donnell expressed his discomfort with processing these reports without thorough investigation, noting that many disappeared from his system dashboard after a period of inactivity, leaving him uncertain if they were ever properly addressed.

Concerns about understaffing were also raised by O'Donnell, who described how staff reporting issues were often marginalized. He presented evidence of a staffing rota that revealed significant gaps, even with all personnel theoretically available. He believes this indicates a long-standing staffing shortage within the trust.

Furthermore, O'Donnell alleged a deliberate attempt to silence him after he raised concerns with a coroner following the death of 16-year-old Elise Sebastian. Four days later, his access to incident reporting systems was reportedly revoked, which he described as a "clear cover up." He also claimed staff were advised to minimize statements at inquests, indicating the trust prioritized its reputation over staff speaking out.

EPUT responded by stating that all reports are taken seriously, recorded, and investigated. Trevor Smith, the trust's chief executive, affirmed that staff have a professional duty to report concerns and that efforts are being made to foster a culture where issues can be raised freely.