To the mums and dads with teenagers in mental health units: I’m taking action to help your child

There will be a public inquiry into the tragic deaths of mental health inpatients at NHS trusts across Essex, writes the health secretary Steve Barclay

One in four people will experience a mental health issue at some stage of their lives, and over a million people will seek treatment this year (Getty)

Throughout history, mental illness has frequently been misunderstood. From the enforced social isolation of the Middle Ages to the abhorrent asylums of the Victorian era, those suffering could too often feel there was no way out and no care available.

Thankfully, we’ve made much progress in our approach and are rightly working to remove the taboo around mental illness and treat those suffering with dignity, kindness and professionalism.

One in four people will experience a mental health issue at some stage of their lives, and over a million people will seek treatment this year. That treatment must be of the highest standard. That’s why I’ve confirmed the current inquiry into the tragic deaths of mental health inpatients at NHS trusts across Essex will become a public inquiry.

This inquiry was established to seek answers, transparency, and accountability. But, in its current form, it’s facing too many challenges as it carries out vital work to unearth the circumstances around these deaths and learn the lessons of the past.

Former and current staff must assist with its work, but too few are coming forward. Their evidence is vital to ensuring no more patients or their families experience the tragedy of losing a loved one in care. A public inquiry will have the necessary legal powers to compel those witnesses to come forward.

However, this isn’t limited to Essex. To the mums and dads with teenage children in mental health units, to the patients across the country seeking support close to where they live, and to those worried about the way such facilities are staffed – I can tell you I’m taking action on a national level.

I will task a new investigative body with launching an investigation into our country’s mental health inpatient care facilities. This investigation will be wide-ranging and will help us tackle inappropriate out-of-area placements, improve care for young people with mental health needs, develop safer staffing models, and learn from tragic deaths.

I’d like to thank The Independent for raising awareness of this important issue. We listened to the concerns and launched a rapid review into how we can improve the way data, complaints, feedback and whistleblowing alerts are used to identify safety risks in mental health inpatient settings.

Today, we also published the findings of that review, which will help trusts and providers nationwide identify ways of providing safer care.

This is an opportune time to extend my gratitude to Dr Geraldine Strathdee who has overseen the work of the Essex inquiry and the rapid review, bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise. Dr Strathdee will be stepping down from her position as chair of the inquiry for personal reasons, but we will announce a new chair as soon as possible.

We know that demand is rising for mental health services. We’re investing £150m over the next three years, specifically for mental health crisis response, and urgent and emergency care services. This is on top of the £2.3bn a year by 2024 committed to expanding mental health services in the NHS Long Term Plan, which will allow an additional 2 million people in England to get the support they need.

Gone are the days of isolating those with mental illness or treating them with brutality and contempt. This government will continue to learn the lessons of the past to improve mental health services across the country.