I write this open letter to reassure bereaved families and all those affected by the issues which I am investigating, that you remain at the very heart of the Inquiry’s work.
To that end, I would like to set out the work the Inquiry has been doing to ensure that continues to be the case.
New family section on our website
I have asked my team to make sure that the family evidence is made as available and accessible as possible, in order that the important issues raised by you are in the public domain.
A new section will shortly be added to the Inquiry’s website which will allow visitors to the site to easily access in one place the family witness statements, oral evidence and commemorative and impact evidence, both written and oral. It will also contain frequently asked questions specifically relevant to families to help you to navigate the, sometimes complex, Inquiry process.
Family evidence and continued engagement is vital to the Inquiry’s understanding of the key issues. New witness statements and pre-recorded statements from families will be added to the Inquiry website shortly and will continue to be added over the next few months.
Further evidence from bereaved families – family pre-recorded sessions
This month, my team is busy arranging and recording evidence sessions with families. For many, recorded evidence can be the best way to provide evidence in a less formal environment, at a time which is convenient and with appropriate support. This is something I have been keen to arrange.
I will continue to carefully review all statements and recorded sessions and decide what further evidence from families may support me in better understanding the issues relevant to this Inquiry.
Role of Case Summaries and importance of engagement
Since February, we have been sharing draft Case Summaries which set out what happened, and the issues arising in relation to our illustrative cases, with the relevant families or their legal representatives. This process will continue over the next two months. These Case Summaries are important documents and will help the Inquiry to focus on the key issues raised in each case in a proportionate and focussed way., The are, as the name suggests, a summary of a person’s case that has been prepared by my team. Although they are in summary format, they are designed to include all concerns set out by families which the Inquiry has received to date through statements and oral evidence.
Case Summaries build upon evidence already received from families, providers and key stakeholders. They analyse previous investigations and consider what further evidence may assist me to meet my Terms of Reference.
My view is that these summaries are both pragmatic and effective in helping us to investigate systemic issues. They provide a way for my team to distil large quantities of complex information relating to individual cases. My team is in the process of seeking input, from families and other organisations closely connected to the case, before we finalise and publish these summaries.
The Inquiry is keen that all those families whose relative is the subject of a case summary engage with the Case Summaries to ensure that you have an opportunity to comment and be included in this important part of the investigative process.
If you are expecting to receive a case summary, but have not yet been sent it, please get in touch with your legal representative, or the Inquiry team at contact@lampardinquiry.org.uk who can either share a copy, or let you know when you are likely to receive this for your comments. The Inquiry wishes to ensure that you have an opportunity to review these and be part of this important process.
July 2026 public hearing
In response to urgent emerging matters that have been raised through evidence and by families through their legal representatives, and ongoing issues regarding EPUT’s engagement with the Inquiry, I have decided that the July 2026 hearing will now focus on:
- Observations and Use of Technology
- Resuscitation
- Further Evidence from Bereaved Families – I remain open to hearing further bereaved family evidence where it will assist the Inquiry’s work.
- Core Participant Submissions as appropriate
- EPUT Engagement and Compliance Issues – Examination of issues relating to EPUT’s engagement with the Inquiry.
I wish to be clear that I have not made any determination on the evidence that I have heard to date. No conclusions have been reached in advance and all matters reman strictly evidence-led and under active consideration by me and my team. Nonetheless, hearing evidence in July on observations and the use of technology and on resuscitation may enable me to make interim recommendations in these areas, should it be appropriate to do so.
Information on the July hearing has been sent to legal representatives today and further details, such as the list of witnesses to be called and the timetable for the July hearing, will be made available on the Inquiry website as soon as possible.
I will always make decisions on the approach to the Inquiry that I truly believe to be the best, most efficient and effective way for this Inquiry to fulfil its terms of reference. Working together, with families at the centre of this Inquiry, I am sure that this Inquiry can make recommendations for long lasting and impactful improvements to the care of mental health inpatients.
Yours faithfully
Baroness Lampard CBE
Chair to the Lampard Inquiry
