Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has challenged the Health Secretary over delays in the TEWV mental health trust inquiry, warning that institutional restructures risk leaving grieving families without answers.
The Liberal Democrat MP pressed the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care during a parliamentary session, raising concerns over the abolition of NHS England. Gordon warned that the critical investigation into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust is at risk of “falling by the wayside” during the transition.
Delays in Appointing Inquiry Leadership
The inquiry was established to investigate severe failures in local mental health provisions. However, the appointment of an independent Chair is already overdue. Gordon intervened multiple times during the health session to demand that the government prioritize the case and meet with affected families.
- Overdue Timeline: The inquiry Chair was scheduled to be in place before the current NHS restructuring began.
- Cross-Party Support: Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald joined the calls, demonstrating unified regional demand for answers.
- Government Response: The Health Minister agreed to look into the case, emphasizing the need for careful management to maintain progress during structural changes.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough:
These families have been through unimaginable difficulty; some of them have lost a loved one due to inadequate care. The idea of promising an inquiry and then having it fizzle out because of wider changes is unacceptable.
We need a Chair appointed ASAP or risk it falling by the wayside.
Next Steps for the Campaign
Regional representatives are continuing to coordinate pressure on the Department of Health and Social Care. The focus remains on securing a firm date for the Chair’s appointment and ensuring frontline mental health services are held accountable for past failings.
