Priti Patel and John Whittingdale concerned by mental health deaths

Sir John Whittingdale and Priti Patel have responded to the current findings from the first public inquiry into mental health in England.

Dr Geraldine Strathdee is the chairwoman of the Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry.

The inquiry found that around 2000 people died while they were a patient in a mental health ward in Essex, or within three months of being discharged, between 2000 and 2020.

In a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, the MPs said: “Both of us represent family members of mental health inpatients who died while under the care of NHS trusts in Essex.

“This has been a matter of deep concern for a number of years, and we strongly supported the decision of the Government in 2021 to set up an independent inquiry.

“We also accepted the view of Ministers at that time that a non-statutory inquiry was more appropriate and more likely to get the truth.”

More than 14,000 members of staff and former staff were written to and from that, only 11 responded to say they would attend an evidence session.

Sir John and Ms Patel added: “We are deeply concerned to learn only a tiny number of staff and former staff came forward to give evidence.”

“We are also shocked to learn last month the Essex Partnership University Trust informed the inquiry in December, two years after its establishment, that the number of deaths was closer to 2,000 than the original estimate of 1,500.

“We have long been appalled at the stories shared by families affected by the deaths of loved ones whilst in the care of Mental Health Services in Essex.”

Both MPs have requested an urgent meeting with Mr Barclay to “revisit the powers available to the inquiry and to reconvene it on a statutory footing”.

Dr Strathdee said an updated timeline will be provided as soon as possible.

The inquiry has started to gather evidence from families of those who have died, as well as former patients and the inquiries work is set to continue.