Lampard Inquiry into 2,000 Essex mental health deaths begins

The first week of the inquiry is hearing opening statements from Baroness Lampard and legal representatives, before bereaved families read statements from next Monday.

The full report from the inquiry could take “a few years” before it will be published.

Baroness Lampard said it would be “fair, objective, rigorous and balanced”.

EPUT chief executive Paul Scott said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones.

However, he disputed the 2,000 deaths figure made public by the inquiry.

He said it included deaths from natural causes, for example where some patients may have been transferred to hospital after a heart attack.

“Patient safety is our absolute priority and we are committed to learning from the work of the inquiry,” Mr Scott said.