Hearings – Additional Information

Next public hearings: April to May 2025

Content

During this hearing, the Inquiry will hear important contextual evidence relating to the provision of mental health inpatient care in Essex. The Inquiry also intends to hear evidence relating to some systemic issues around the provision of care. 

Prior to the April hearing, the Inquiry intends to publish relevant background information relating to the provision of mental health inpatient care by way of seminars or similar.

Within the April hearing, the Inquiry intends to hear evidence from healthcare providers and other relevant organisations. The Inquiry does not intend to hear evidence from families or those with lived experience at the April hearing.

Topics and areas currently being considered for the April-May 2025 hearing include:

• Issues of concern which led to the establishment of the Inquiry
• Services in scope
• The patient journey, including assessments, route to admission, inpatient care and discharge
• Staffing arrangements
• Ward environment and ward safety

Please be aware that, as the Inquiry progresses and investigations evolve, the content of future hearings may be altered to reflect the key issues, themes and evidence that emerge.  Any changes to the above list of topics and issues will be communicated in good time.

Location – The hearing will be in-person at Arundel House in London.  The hearing will also be streamed online for those wishing to follow proceedings remotely on our YouTube channel

Any Core Participants and Recognised Legal Representatives who wish to tour the hearing venue in advance will be able to do so the week before the hearings begin (i.e. tours taking place the week commencing 21 April 2025).  Tours will be arranged and booked through the Inquiry Team (and not through the venue directly).  Images of the various rooms at the hearing venue, Arundel House, are available on the venue’s website.

The building is accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments to access or use the building, please let the Inquiry know by email at contact@lampardinquiry.org.uk or calling 020 7972 3500 and leaving a voicemail.

Facilities – There will be a room available during the hearing at Arundel House for bereaved families and their legal representatives to use.  In addition, there will be another room available to book through the Inquiry Team for Recognised Legal Representatives and unrepresented Core Participants.  Further details on facilities and room booking will be available nearer the time.

Dates and timings – The hearing will take place from Mondays to Thursdays. No hearings will take place on Fridays or on Monday 5 May, which is a national bank holiday.

Hearings will run from 10am to 4:30pm each sitting day.  There will be a break in the proceedings during the morning, a lunch break and then a further break during the afternoon.  The need for additional breaks, and any reasonable adjustments, will be considered nearer the time.

Teas and coffees will be available at the hearing venue for those attending the hearing in person.

Emotional Support – We place the wellbeing of those involved in the Inquiry at the centre of our work and emotional support is available to all those engaging with the Inquiry during hearings.

Security Checks – All those attending the hearing must go through a security check each time they enter the hearing room. Please allow extra time to go through security and be aware you may have to queue upon entry.

The security check may include:

• A bag check and/or emptying your pockets
• Walking through an archway detector
• Being checked by a handheld scanner

If you’re wearing a head covering for religious or cultural reasons, you can ask for it to be checked with a handheld scanner so you do not have to take it off.

Prohibited Items – You cannot take the following items into the hearing room:

• Any weapons or sharp objects – such as blades, scissors, penknives, razors, hammers or other tools and cutlery
• Any glass – no items of glass will be allowed, other than framed photos
• Syringes – (unless you have a prescription)
• Alcohol – solvents and other potentially harmful substances
• Certain liquids – such as oils, lighter refills, glues, and cleaning products. Prescription medicines must have the pharmacist label with your name and the date they were issued.

You will also not be allowed to bring in items that security staff reasonably think could be used as a weapon, even if you think they are harmless.

You will be reported to the police if you try to take a weapon into the hearing centre.

Please advise us if you need any reasonable adjustments to be taken during security checks by emailing us at contact@lampardinquiry.org.uk or calling 020 7972 3500 and leaving a voicemail.

Witness Expenses Policy – Witnesses and their necessary companions may be able to claim expenses for attending Inquiry hearings. These expenses may include costs such as transport, food and childcare. The Lampard Inquiry website has guidance, explaining the rules and the process for claiming witness expenses.