England's first mental health inquiry to resume

The Lampard Inquiry is entering its third phase, having heard evidence in September and November

Evidence is due to resume in what is England's first public inquiry into mental health deaths.

The Lampard Inquiry has been examining more than 2,000 deaths at NHS inpatient units in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

Over the next three weeks in London, care providers will be questioned on how and why the people in mental health units died.

Melanie Leahy, whose 20-year-old son Matthew died under NHS care, said: "It's been years of heartbreak, unanswered questions and fighting just to be heard."

The inquiry has been arranged to focus on the work by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and organisations that existed previously.

EPUT chief executive Paul Scott has apologised for deaths under his trust's care.

Melanie Leahy said the facility Matthew died in was "hell on earth"

Focus is being shifted to systemic issues on Monday and particularly on how mental health services should be provided.

Baroness Kate Lampard, who is leading proceedings, will hear from health organisations and those tasked with investigating reports of wrongdoing.

The inquiry heard impact statements from about 80 family witnesses across two phases in September and November.

Baroness Lampard previously warned "we may never be able to say for sure how many people died", adding the scale was "deeply shocking".

Ms Leahy, who campaigned for more than a decade for an inquiry, said it was "a chance to bring the truth to light".

"Our loved ones cannot rest in peace until the truth about the mental health failings is exposed," she added.

Ms Leahy is expected to be joined by fellow campaigners outside the hearing at Arundel House, displaying images of those who have died.

Baroness Lampard is leading the government-backed inquiry

The inquiry will not be looking at deaths in the community unless they happened within three months of discharge from a mental health unit, the patient had been assessed and refused a bed or they were on a waiting list for a bed.

Nina Ali, a partner at law firm Hodge Jones & Allen, which is representing 126 families, said the resumption was a "pivotal moment".

"We must hold a mirror up to our mental health services and face the grave reality that our clients have suffered and are continuing to suffer," she said.

Evidence is due to continue until 15 May.

Mr Scott said: "As the inquiry progresses, there will be many accounts of people who were much loved and missed over the past 24 years and I want to say how sorry I am for their loss.

"All of us across healthcare have a responsibility to work together to improve care and treatment for all, and to build on the improvements that have already been made over the last 24 years."