Lampard Inquiry hears two weeks of evidence from bereaved families and friends

23 February 2026

The Lampard Inquiry is chaired by Baroness Kate Lampard CBE (pictured). Credit: Lampard Inquiry / YouTube.

Over the past two weeks, bereaved families and friends have given evidence to the Lampard Inquiry, which is investigating the deaths of inpatients on mental health wards in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

From 2 to 16 February 2026, twelve bereaved families and friends took the stand to give evidence about the treatment of their loved ones whilst under the care of Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT).

In 2021, EPUT was prosecuted in relation to health and safety failings concerning ligature points, and fined £1,500,000.

The Lampard Inquiry, the first-ever public inquiry into mental health-related deaths in England, began in September 2024. The Inquiry is divided into different themes, including physical and sexual safety, inpatient assessments under the Mental Health Act, the management of medication, and communication with inpatients’ families.

Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC, Ciara Bartlam and Lily Lewis were instructed by Charlotte Haworth Hird and Amy Ooi of Bhatt Murphy to represent INQUEST, which represents the bereaved families at the Lampard Inquiry.

Anna and Ciara are also instructed in the public inquiry into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust by Ison Harrison on behalf of bereaved families.

Several of the issues raised by families in the Lampard Inquiry – including inadequate risk assessments, lack of care planning, and a lack of specialist autism support – have been raised by the TEWV families in their meetings with the Health Secretary that led to the establishment of the Inquiry.

Next steps

The Lampard Inquiry was scheduled to resume its public evidence sessions from 20 April to 7 May 2026.

However, in a statement issued last month, Inquiry Chair Baroness Kate Lampard CBE said it had been cancelled, and would instead be used for the pre-recorded evidence sessions. Baroness Lampard said there had been delays in receiving documents from EPUT and other participants.

The next public evidence sessions are now scheduled to take place from 6 to 23 July 2026, at Arundel House, London.

Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC, Ciara Bartlam and Lily Lewis represent INQUEST, instructed by Charlotte Haworth Hird and Amy Ooi of Bhatt Murphy. Anna, Ciara and Lily are part of Garden Court North’s inquests and public inquiries team.

Additional media

BBC News – What have families told the Lampard Inquiry into mental health deaths?

Lampard Inquiry – Hearings

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk