News Beat
York MPs welcome public inquiry into TEWV NHS trust
Rachael Maskell said people had “died in the hands” of the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), while Luke Charters said “we must see improvements in mental health services in our region, at pace”.
Health secretary Wes Streeting announced on Thursday (December 11) that a statutory public inquiry would be held into TEWV after numerous significant failings in safeguarding and care by the trust.
Alison Smith, chief executive of TEWV, said the trust would “fully support” the public inquiry with “transparency, openness and humility”.
TEWV had 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’.
The trust provides mental health services across York and North Yorkshire, as well as County Durham, Darlington and Teesside.
The Press had backed calls for a public inquiry into TEWV, with editor Nigel Burton saying “something has gone badly wrong” at the trust.
Ms Maskell had also supported calls for a public inquiry and attended the meeting in Darlington in which the announcement was made.
“It is the right decision of the health secretary to order a full public inquiry into TEWV,” the Labour MP for York Central said.
“People have died in the hands of the trust, and then have been met with excuses and obfuscation.
“This inquiry has been a long time coming after many instances of the trust’s neglect and safeguarding failings, which have had serious and tragic consequences, and left people without adequate care.
“I have long campaigned for significant changes to the trust’s culture and to the way people in crisis are supported, as well as to ensure people are able to receive the right support for their mental health needs in the community.
“In taking decisive action today, I am hopeful that this move will hold the trust to account and begin the process of ensuring that people within the community receive the support and healthcare that they need and deserve.”
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Ms Maskell said she had a “great deal of correspondence from constituents who have been affected by TEWV’s failings” throughout her decade as an MP.
She said the constituents had been “let down whilst in crisis by a system that cannot continue in its current state”, adding: “Tragically, too many have ended up in the criminal justice system simply because the trust failed to fulfil its duties, and for some, they have lost their lives.”
Ms Maskell said she was “humbled” to be joined by the mother of a York resident who “lost his life due to failings in his care” at Thursday’s meeting in Darlington. “I am sure that her testimony to the inquiry will highlight why things must change,” Ms Maskell said.
“The stories told today by family members were incredibly moving and completely heartbreaking, and I am so glad that they have been heard,” the MP added.
Ms Maskell continued: “I want to engage with all constituents who have been impacted by TEWV, or have had a family member impacted, to ensure that their voices are listened to in this inquiry, and they have an opportunity to hold governing structures to account.
“It is vital that we ensure that all those who need mental health support and treatment can access this.”
Mr Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, said his “thoughts are with all the families who have lost loved ones”, adding that he had “previously called for a review” of TEWV.
“I’m glad the health secretary has heard these calls and is moving forward with a public inquiry. I met the health secretary to talk about this earlier in the year.
“As a constituency MP I receive a significant amount of correspondence relating to TEWV. I recently met the new CEO, Alison Smith, and spoke about areas where TEWV must improve urgently.
“I am absolutely clear that we must see improvements in mental health services in our region, at pace. These changes must take place alongside the public inquiry, and we don’t need to wait until the end of the inquiry for this to begin.
“If you are one of my constituents and are affected by TEWV, please get in touch.”
Alison Smith, chief executive of TEWV, said: “First and foremost, I extend my deepest sympathy to everyone affected by these tragic losses.
“With the public inquiry now confirmed, we will fully support the process with transparency, openness and humility. Above all, we are committed to listening, reflecting, and taking meaningful action to ensure that we continually improve as an organisation.”
