It has been announced today that the investigation and inquest into the death of Emily Moore will resume in front of a Jury, five years after her death.
Emily Moore, an 18-year-old from Shildon, County Durham, died in February 2020 while under the care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust. Emily had been receiving mental health treatment at facilities ran by the Trust, including West Land Hospital in Middlesbrough, which was shut down in 2019 following serious concerns about patient safety. Emily was one of several young women who lost their lives while in the care of TEWV, alongside Christie Harnett and Nadia Sharif, whose deaths exposed widespread failings within the Trust.
After the closure of West Lane Hospital, Emily was transferred to Ferndene Ward at Prudhoe, operated by Cumbria Northumbria Tyne & Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust. However, after turning 18, Emily was moved to Tunstall Ward at Lanchester Road which was run by TEWV. It was there Emily lost her life. Investigations later identified 24 care and service delivery problems in Emily’s care under TEWV, highlighting critical gaps in risk assessment, intervention, and overall care.
Following Emily’s death, a Coronial Investigation began on 25th February 2020, with an inquest opened on 28th February 2020 before being adjourned.
On 2nd February 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) applied for a summons against TEWV for offences under Regulation 22 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The charges alleged that TEWV failed to provide safe care and treatment, exposing Emily Moore to significant risk and avoidable harm during her time at Tunstall Ward.
On 24th February 2025, it has been determined that the investigation and inquest into the death of Emily Moore will resume. The family of Emily Moore will be represented by Alistair Smith of Watson Woodhouse Solicitors and Counsel Anna Morris KC of Garden Court Chambers. Previously criminal proceedings have had a criminal jurisdiction remit and could not operate with the family being at the heart of the process as the inquest would do. Furthermore, the NHS England/NICHE report didn’t investigate Emily’s personal intention and mindset on the 13th February 2020. Alongside this, Emily’s previous experiences have yet to be investigated.
It was also determined that the scope shall include Emily’s time as a patient at West Lane. The Coroner stated,
“If events of personal significance occurred to her within that period, at that place, then they could (and I stress this would be subject to investigation and future determination) be relevant to the circumstances of her death and to its causation. It is not the duration of time spent at a place but the nature, quality and relevance of what happened within that period, and its impact, that is important.”
The investigation and inquest will be head in front of a jury. A Jury is not mandatory, but the inquest may proceed to be heard with one if the Coroner ‘thinks there is sufficient reason for it to be held with one’.
The pre-inquest review has been listed for 14th March 2025.
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In The Media
Emily Moore: Inquest to take place into death of teen under care of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Trust
Inquest to be held into death of Emily Moore under TEWV’s care