On 10 April 2024, the final Terms of Reference were published.
The Terms of Reference were finalised after a 4-week public consultation, open from 1 November 2023 until 28 November 2023. Baroness Lampard conducted a review of all responses from the consultation before sending her recommendations on the Terms of Reference to government.
The Terms of Reference were set by the Government and published on gov.uk here.
The Inquiry has published the following press release:
The Lampard Inquiry Terms of Reference Launch
The Lampard Inquiry has today published its Terms of Reference, following a public consultation in November 2023. The Terms of Reference have been set by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins.
The Lampard Inquiry, formerly known as the Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry, launched in November 2023 after being granted statutory powers. The inquiry will examine the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex between 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2023.
Welcoming the Terms of Reference on the Lampard Inquiry, the Chair, Baroness Kate Lampard, said:
“The Terms of Reference follow a public consultation which closed late last year. I have carefully considered the views and responses that were submitted as part of this consultation and, where appropriate, reflected these in the recommendations I made to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed.
I am satisfied that the revised Terms of Reference provide the breadth of scope needed to address thoroughly the significant areas of concern identified. But they are also appropriately focused and proportionate, allowing me to report and make recommendations within a reasonable period of time. This is key given the urgency of the matters I am looking into.
Now that the Terms of Reference have been published, my Inquiry team will shortly be inviting interested individuals and organisations to apply for Core Participant status. More details on how to do this will soon be available on the Lampard Inquiry website.”
As set out in the Terms of Reference published today, the Lampard Inquiry will investigate:
- deaths of mental health inpatients within healthcare settings in Essex.
- deaths that occurred between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2023.
- those who died as inpatients receiving NHS funded care within the independent sector, as well as those in NHS units.
- Inpatient deaths include those who died within 3 months of discharge from a mental health inpatient unit.
Throughout the course of the Inquiry, the Chair will seek evidence from relevant parties, such as the families of those who died, patients and former patients, those who work in mental health settings and the providers of mental health services. The information sought will help the Chair to understand the circumstances surrounding mental health inpatient deaths and to make meaningful recommendations to improve the provision of mental health care.
You can read the final Terms of Reference here.
You can also read frequently asked questions on the Terms of Reference here.
The Inquiry will shortly be publishing information on how to apply for Core Participants status – more details will be available in due course.
