On 26 January 2026, the Chair of the Lampard Inquiry, Baroness Lampard, confirmed that the outcome of the Inquiry would be delayed by more than six months.

The Lampard Inquiry is a public inquiry investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of mental health inpatients under the care of a number of NHS Trusts in Essex between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2023.

The Inquiry is investigating the circumstances of more than 2,000 mental health-related deaths that occurred during this period, and will consider, amongst other things: –

  • Serious failings related to the delivery of safe and therapeutic inpatient treatment and care

  • Matters relating to physical and sexual safety within mental health inpatient units at the Trust(s)

  • The actions, practices and behaviours of permanent, temporary and agency staff providing mental health inpatient care at the Trust(s)

  • The approach to staffing, training and working conditions of all staff f providing mental health inpatient care at the Trust(s); including the support provided to and the supervision of such staff;

  • The culture and the wider governance of and at the Trust(s)

At the end of its investigations, the Inquiry will make recommendations to improve the provision of mental health inpatient care.

The Inquiry was formally opened on 09 September 2024 and has to date heard evidence from more than 80 families, with concerns in respect of safeguarding, staff training and the use of a technology known as ‘Oxevision’ in patient’s bedrooms emerging from the evidence heard.

Hearings had been timetabled to conclude in Autumn 2026 following which, Baroness Lampard would consider the recommendations to be made in view of the Inquiry’s findings. However, in documentation published to the Inquiry this week, Baroness Lampard has found it necessary to make amendments to the Inquiry’s Hearing Timetable to “permit sufficient time” for the Inquiry to “collate related evidence” and “undertake its investigative work”.

Accordingly, the evidence hearing that had been listed to take place between 20 April – 07 May 2026 has now been vacated, with two additional hearings having been scheduled in its place in January and April 2027. Consequently, closing hearings will now take place in June 2027, such that Baroness Lampard’s final report and recommendations are not now expected until mid-2028.

Commenting further on the matter, Baroness Lampard noted that there “has been some delay in the Inquiry receiving material in a timely fashion” in respect of “both witness statements and documents in several areas”. Baroness Lampard continued, noting that the delays in receiving disclosure have “impacted the ability of the Inquiry to progress investigations and other work as quickly as [the Inquiry] would like”. Baroness Lampard emphasised that “engagement with the Inquiry is critical to the progress of … investigations” and it has proven necessary, as a result of delays, to issue a Section 21 notice to Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust “to secure information which is essential” to progressing the Inquiry’s investigation.

Regrettably, the delays that Baroness Lampard refers to here are not uncommon.

At Farleys, we have extensive experience in representing bereaved families at inquest hearings. An Inquest is an investigation into a death and, like public inquiries, they are wholly reliant on relevant documentation in connection with one’s death being disclosed to enable the appropriate investigations to be conducted.

Notwithstanding this, families are frequently met with delays in related documentation being disclosed by interested parties, such as NHS Trusts and the Ministry of Justice, despite disclosure of the same having been directed by the Coroner. The ramifications of non-disclosure are far-reaching, often resulting in Final Inquest Hearings being adjourned just days before the hearing was due to commence or, in some circumstances, adjournment part-way through the proceedings. This can subsequently result in significant delays in the final hearing being re-listed given limited availability in the Court timetable, particularly where evidence must be heard in the presence of a Jury,

For many families, the inquest is the only opportunity to understand what has happened and to seek accountability following the death of their loved ones. For grieving families participating in these proceedings, the process can often be exhausting, overwhelming and emotionally draining, and the effect that delays in respect of disclosure can therefore have upon bereaved families is profound.

As Baroness Lampard highlighted, engagement with investigations such as inquests and inquiries “is critical to the progress” of the investigation and non-disclosure of documentation in a timely manner impacts the ability of investigations to be carried out as expeditiously as possible. This is an issue that must be addressed to avoid delays and ensure that the distress and unimaginable grief that bereaved families often face during these proceedings is not compounded.

Our team at Farleys is committed to ensuring that families are supported throughout this process, with compassion and expertise.

We also work closely with specialist barristers and organisations such as INQUEST.

Legal Aid funding is often available for inquests involving deaths in custody, and we can assist families in securing this support.

If you have lost a loved one in prison and wish to speak about legal representation, please contact our inquest team today on 0330 828 3942, get in touch by email, or use the online chat below.