Eleven grieving families reached out to Rishi Sunak through an open letter sent by The Northern Echo, requesting a public inquiry into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) mental health trust, which they hold accountable for the tragic losses of their loved ones.
The eleven families include David and Susan Moore, the parents of Emily Moore, 18, who lost her life while she was a patient in Tunstall Ward at Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham. A report into Emily’s death found 24 care and service delivery problems in her care under TEWV.
The family of Christie Harnett also signed the open letter. In 2019, Christie Harnett, 17, lost her life while she was a patient at West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough. In 2024, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) prosecuted TEWV for the failures in the care of Christie Harnett and Patient X, resulting in a £200,000 fine.
Donna Watson, the mother of Jay Jones, signed the letter following her son’s death in Roseberry Park Hospital in Middlesbrough in 2022. Viv and Chris Jolly signed the letter on behalf of their daughter, Sarah Jolly, who died at 34 in sheltered accommodation.
Olivia Fawcett and Rebecca Brown also signed the open letter after losing their mother and father in 2019. Jean Zaremba, Cheryl Allan, Ronald and Rachel Stamp who lost their children have added their names to the call to action.
Following the open letter, politicians have joined the call for a public enquiry into TEWV, including Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP Durham City, who reiterated her call for a public inquiry she initially made last year.
“No more delays. The Prime Minister must now commit to a public inquiry. Those who lost their lives, and their grieving families, deserve justice.”
TEWV responded to the open letter demanding a public inquiry.
Sign the petition
The calls for a public inquiry continue, you can help the fight for justice in signing the petition: https://www.rebuildtrust.co.uk/help-us/
Support Is Available
If the subject matter of this article or story has affected you in any way, then please know that support is available. When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for
free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Suicide and self-harm are preventable, and support is available.
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In the Media
Echo letter sparks politicians to action over TEWV deaths
Bereaved North East families call on PM for health trust inquiry