Baroness Kate Lampard to Examine 2,000 Mental Health Deaths in Essex Inquiry

Baroness Kate Lampard, chair of the public inquiry into mental health deaths, is set to present interim recommendations on patient safety concerns following an examination of over 2,000 deaths in Essex mental health services between 2000 and 2023.

As the inquiry delves deeper into patient safety, hearings are set to commence on October 5, with a comprehensive report slated for submission by 2028. The inquiry's focus will likely center on inpatient safety.

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With a specific emphasis on resuscitation protocols and the implementation of monitoring technologies designed to identify patients at risk of distress.

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the Oxevision system on patient care and dignity. Tammy Smith, whose daughter Sophie Alderman passed away in 2022, expressed concerns that the technology could erode human interaction and neglect the need for face-to-face conversations.

Smith stated that patients require human connection and empathy, highlighting the importance of verbal interactions in ensuring patient well-being. The inquiry will examine whether the Oxevision system can be used as a substitute for human care. And whether it prioritizes patient safety and dignity.

The company behind Oxevision, LIO Health, claims that the technology has helped prevent serious incidents, supports staff in providing care, and reduces paperwork time. However, NHS England has emphasized the need for any vision-based monitoring technology to adhere to a human rights-based approach to care and obtain patient consent.

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The inquiry will also hear from NHS England. The Care Quality Commission, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency during hearings between 5 and 15 October. Families will be invited to provide their views on possible recommendations during a virtual hearing on 20 October.

The final report, which could have significant implications for mental health services across England, is not expected until 2028.