- Inquiry into deaths of mental health inpatients across NHS
Trusts in Essex between 2000 and 2020 to become statutory
- Separate national investigation into safety issues in mental
health inpatient settings to be launched this autumn
- Government publishes findings of review into the way
complaints, feedback and whistleblowing alerts are used to
identify safety risks in mental health inpatient settings
An inquiry into the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex
will become statutory, as the government presses ahead with
action to improve patient safety and boost the quality of mental
health care in England.
The Essex Mental Health independent inquiry was announced in
January 2021 to investigate matters surrounding the deaths of
mental health inpatients across NHS Trusts in Essex between 2000
and 2020. Dr Geraldine Strathdee was appointed Chair of the
non-statutory inquiry and, following her advice, the government
has confirmed today that it will be converted to a statutory
inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005.
Due to the challenges faced while running an independent inquiry
– such as engaging former and current staff at the Essex
Partnership University Trust (EPUT), and in securing evidence
from the Trust itself – a statutory inquiry will have legal
powers to compel witnesses, including those former and current
staff of EPUT, to give evidence.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“Everyone receiving care in a mental health facility should
feel safe and be confident they’re receiving world-class
treatment.
“We take any failure to do so seriously and that’s why the
Essex inquiry was launched and I’m now taking further action to
give it the necessary legal powers, to help improve inpatient
safety and learn the lessons of the
past.
“I’d like to thank all those involved for their work on this
inquiry so far, particularly Dr Strathdee for chairing it. I
remain determined to transform and improve mental health care and
will continue working to ensure people right across the country
receive the care they need.”
The Secretary of State has further announced that in October a
new Health Services Safety Investigations Body will be
formally established and will commence a national investigation
into mental health inpatient care settings. It will investigate a
range of issues, including how young people with mental health
needs can be better cared for, how providers can learn from
tragic deaths that take place in their care, how out-of-area
placements are handled, and how staffing models can be improved.
The recommendations from this far-reaching investigation will
help service providers to improve safety standards in mental
health facilities across the country.
Separately, findings of an independent rapid review into mental
health inpatient settings have also been published by the
government today.
As part of the government’s commitment to ensuring patients are
safe and receive high quality care, the rapid review was set up
to explore how government can improve the way data and evidence –
including complaints, feedback and whistleblowing alerts – is
used to identify risks to patient safety in mental health
inpatient settings.
Minister for Mental Health said:
“It’s only right mental health care facilities meet the
highest safety standards and that patients have faith in the care
they receive.
“The publication of the rapid review recognises the
importance of transparency and accountability as we continue to
improve mental health services across the country.
“Our ongoing work in response to the review will help Trusts
and facilities identify ways to improve and ensure every patient
receives safe, exemplary care.”
Evidence and views for the rapid review were taken from over 300
experts in mental health inpatient pathways, including carers,
nurses, psychiatrists, data experts, clinical directors, and
people with recent personal experience of using – or caring for
someone who uses – mental health care services. It makes
recommendations to help improve the way data and evidence is used
to monitor safety and improve care so patients and their carers
can feel confident in the quality of treatment they’re
receiving.
The government will issue a response to the recommendations from
the rapid review in due course.
This comes alongside the £2.3 billion extra being invested a year
until 2024 into the expansion and transformation of mental health
services in England, so that two million more people can access
crucial NHS-funded mental health support.
Both the rapid review and Essex inquiry have been chaired by Dr
Geraldine Strathdee, who has today announced she will step down
as Chair of the inquiry for personal reasons. Dr Strathdee
brought a wealth of experience from working in senior roles in
mental health policy, regulation and clinical management and her
support has been hugely beneficial to both reviews. A new Chair
will be announced in due course.
