Mental health Lampard Inquiry chair vows to 'seek out' truth

Site Admin • 11 May 2025
sad man

source: BBC News
published: 28 April 2025

The chair of England's first public inquiry into mental health deaths vowed to "seek out the truth" - despite difficulties getting documents from the NHS.

The first key evidence sessions in the Lampard Inquiry - examining more than 2,000 deaths at NHS inpatient units in Essex between 2000 and 2023 - have begun in London.


Baroness Lampard said although the hearing was "breaking new ground", 21 legal notices had been issued to NHS organisations to force them to submit evidence.

"We will seek out the truth," she said, adding she would not hesitate to use her legal powers "to the fullest extent necessary to compel the production of evidence where it's not provided".


Baroness Lampard said the inquiry was of "national significance" as it focussed on "the big critical concerns about what went wrong over almost a quarter of a century".

Counsel to the inquiry, Nicholas Griffin KC, said: "We have been unimpressed with a significant number of requests for deadline extensions... and the number of occasions where providers have not given the material expressly asked for."


He said there were problems with the condition of paper records, "missing documents" and providers, including private ones, sending information late.


Mr Griffin said it was a criminal offence to suppress, conceal, alter, or destroy relevant evidence and said providers should be properly resourced to respond to the inquiry.


He said the inquiry should not be delayed because of it.


Read the full article here >

People at a conference

Report from the Better Together 'Power of Us' Conference

by Admin Team • 11 May 2025
The Power of Us conference was a step forward, but it is only one step in a much larger journey. The hope is that we continue to challenge and think critically about inclusion and equity.
a woman gazing forward

The Advocates for Change Programme: a partnership approach

by Admin Team • 11 May 2025
Over the past 12 months, we've had over 200 conversations with Black carers, patients and users of mental health services about the things that matter to them when receiving services.
Man walking through a door

Latest update on the Pathways to Independence programme

by Site Admin • 11 May 2025
Catalyst 4 Change is proud to serve as the lead and accountable organisation for the Pathways to Independence project, delivered in partnership with a range of community-led organisations.
Ring binders on a shelf

NCVO: The Road Ahead Report 2025, shifting expectation

by Site Admin • 11 May 2025
The UK charity sector stands at a crossroads in 2025, facing an evolving landscape that is shaped by economic pressures, policy changes, and shifting public expectations.
More posts