Irwin Mitchell Calls On Services To Be Properly Resourced To Help Reduce Future Deaths

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have backed calls for an inquiry into the number of mental health deaths linked to failings in NHS care.

Opposition political parties are demanding the Government investigates the issue after it was revealed that since 2012 there had been 271 mental health patient deaths associated with poor care.

Julie Lewis is managing partner of Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office.

Expert Opinion

We completely agree that there needs to be an inquiry into the number of mental health deaths that have been associated to failings in NHS care.

“Although the number of deaths is shocking it comes as no surprise to us based on the number of cases we run which involve a failure of mental health services.

“It is essential that the failings are understood and mental health services are properly resourced so that similar deaths can be prevented in the future.” Julie Lewis - Partner

Details of the 271 deaths were reported by The Guardian newspaper following a review of prevention of future deaths notices issued by coroners between 2012 and 2017. Coroners have legal powers to write a report calling on organisations to take action to reduce the risk of future similar deaths following an inquest.

Former coalition government Mental Health Minister and Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb said he was writing to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt asking for an inquiry.

He wants ministers to ensure NHS Trusts implement changes recommended by coroners if an inquest hears a patient died after care failings.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has also said that NHS Trusts needed to do more to introduce coroners’ recommendations.

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