For too long, families, campaigners and people directly affected by systemic failings in mental health services have been fighting to be heard. But a recent meeting between representatives from the Rebuild Trust community, families, patients, advocates and senior officials from the Department of Health and Social Care marked a key moment in that campaign, as they discussed the early development phase of the statutory public inquiry into serious failings at the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust.

Why this matters

The statutory public inquiry, formally announced in late 2025 by the Health Secretary, represents the most significant opportunity yet to uncover the truth about what has gone wrong at one of England’s largest mental health trusts. Families and survivors have long campaigned for an inquiry with real powers to compel testimony, demand evidence and make meaningful recommendations for change.

This recent meeting was part of an ongoing consultation process designed to ensure that the inquiry reflects the full range of concerns held by those most affected. Around 50 people participated either in person or online, sharing deeply personal experiences and helping to shape the scope, priorities and terms of reference for what lies ahead.

Growing public focus on the inquiry was reflected in a recent interview with ITV News, where Jess Evison spoke about the death of her son as a result of failings within the Trust and why the statutory investigation must deliver real answers and meaningful reform

Key themes from the discussion

Families and campaigners emphasised several priorities they want the inquiry to address:

• Establishing the full extent of harm - including how many deaths and serious incidents have occurred over time, and the role of systemic failings in those outcomes.
• Delivering robust, actionable recommendations that will prevent future tragedies and improve safety now.
• Ensuring trauma-informed processes that respect the lived experience and emotional needs of families and survivors.
• Scrutinising governance and organisational culture at every level.
• Examining care pathways, including crisis response, inpatient care, discharge planning and community support.
• Holding accountable those responsible for serious negligence or systemic failures - not simply repeating past reviews that lacked independent authority.

Participants expressed a shared conviction that real change cannot wait, and that the inquiry must extend beyond retrospective examinations to deliver reforms that protect people today.

A call for genuine accountability

Many families have described past attempts to get answers, through complaints, investigations and inquests, as painfully slow, opaque and ultimately unsatisfactory. Those experiences have strengthened the collective belief that only a thorough statutory inquiry with independent powers will provide clarity, accountability and genuine improvement.

There was strong support for appointing an independent chair to lead the inquiry, ideally a judge with no ties to the NHS, as families believe this is crucial for ensuring public confidence, transparency and the ability to explore evidence without constraint.