Upcoming public hearings: 28 April to 15 May 2025
On 22 January 2024, the Inquiry announced some further information about its upcoming public hearing in April, which will take place from Monday 28 April until Thursday 15 May.
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
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
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.
For more information about the April hearing, please visit this page.
Future hearings in 2025 and 2026
In addition to information about the April hearing, the Inquiry has also published further information about hearings taking place in 2025 and 2026.
This information is outlined below:
2025
28th April – 15th May
- 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. More detailed information on the topics to be covered at the April-May 2025 hearings is provided here.
- Within this 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.
7th July – 24th July
- Evidence (including from family members) related to the circumstances of those who died whilst under the care of SEPT (South Essex Partnership Trust) and NEPT (North Essex Partnership Trust)
- There will also be a focus on selected themes relevant to SEPT and NEPT investigations.
13th October – 30th October *
*Please note the slight change in the October 2025 hearing dates previously announced in September 2024.
- Further evidence (including from family members) related to the circumstances of those who died whilst under the care of SEPT (South Essex Partnership Trust) and NEPT (North Essex Partnership Trust)
- Evidence (including from family members) related to the circumstances of those who died whilst under the care of EPUT (Essex Partnership University Trust)
- There will also be a focus on selected themes relevant to EPUT investigations
2026
2nd February – 19th February
- Further evidence (including from family members) related to the circumstances of those who died whilst under the care of EPUT (Essex Partnership University Trust)
- Further focus on selected themes relevant to EPUT investigations
20th April – 7th May
- Further evidence (including from family members) related to the circumstances of those who died whilst under the care of EPUT (Essex Partnership University Trust)
- Evidence from North-East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and other providers (including private providers) of NHS inpatient-funded care
- Further focus on selected themes relevant to Inquiry investigations
6th July – 23rd July
- Further evidence from North-East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and other providers (including private providers) of NHS inpatient funded care
- Consideration of wider themes and the national picture
- Corporate evidence and responsibility
October (dates to be confirmed)
- Closing Statements
Further information on the content of future hearings listed above will be provided in due course by the Inquiry. This will be kept under review and may be subject to change.
For a summary of past and upcoming hearings, please visit our Hearings page for more information.
