Battles goes on vows Harrogate MP as inquiry into suicides of young people is announced

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon welcomed the Government’s decision to launch a full statutory public inquiry into TEWV, describing it as “a huge and long-overdue victory for families who have battled for years for the truth”.

The announcement by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting follows multiple suicides of young people and complaints by grieving families that their loved ones had been subjected to ''chaotic and appalling" mental health care by the NHS Trust.

Mr Gordon said, since he was elected last year, he had been working closely with residents in his constituency whose lives had been shattered by “failures” in mental health care, including families who had tragically lost loved ones while under the Trust’s care.

"The announcement is a landmark moment, a huge victory for the families who have fought with extraordinary courage, determination and dignity for justice,” said the Harrogate MP.

"Many of them have endured devastating loss and their persistence is the reason the Government has finally taken this step.”

“I strongly welcome this full public inquiry but it cannot be an excuse to delay action."

At Health Questions in January, Tom Gordon put the Trust’s “serious failings” on the parliamentary record and urged ministers to recognise the scale of the crisis.

He also used his first Prime Minister’s Question to warn that TEWV’s problems were not isolated incidents or historic but on-going systemic failures.

While welcoming the probe, Mr Gordon stressed that families should not be made to wait years for improvements.

"People are still receiving care from this Trust today,” he said.

"Immediate steps are needed to protect patients.

“I will continue to work alongside the families I have met whose lives have been so deeply affected."

Responding to the announcement, TEWV’s chief executive Alison Smith, said: “I extend my deepest sympathy to everyone affected by these tragic losses.

"We will fully support the inquiry process with transparency and humility."