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A group of bereaved families is calling for a public inquiry into Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, accusing the organization of failing to keep their loved ones safe and causing emotional and physical harm. The families claim that the Trust’s systemic failures have led to unnecessary suffering and, in some cases, preventable deaths.
Among the most serious allegations is the widespread misdiagnosis of inpatients, with many being labeled as having Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), also known as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This practice, they argue, disproportionately affects autistic patients, leading to inadequate and harmful treatment approaches.
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‘Positive Risk-Taking’ and Harmful Practices
Families and former patients have criticized the Trust’s use of “positive risk-taking,” a protocol that allowed patients to engage in self-harming behaviors under the belief that intervention would reinforce negative behaviors. Despite the Trust’s claims that this approach is no longer in use, multiple sources, including social media testimonials and first-hand accounts, suggest that these practices are still ongoing.
One mother, whose daughter Beth was under the Trust’s care, shared harrowing details of her treatment. Despite repeated ligature attempts, Beth was still allowed to keep the materials she used to harm herself. Staff responses reportedly included restraint by multiple male staff members, forced injections, and removal of some but not all risk items—leaving Beth with continued access to harmful materials.
“She was told, ‘If you really were suicidal, then why are you still here?’” her mother recalled. “How is this care?”
Beth remained in a psychiatric hospital for three years due to her high risk. However, in January of this year, she was moved to a lower-security ward despite concerns that she was not stable. Within 36 hours of the move, she lost her life.
A History of Failures and a Call for Accountability
The Trust previously faced scrutiny following the deaths of young patients at West Lane Hospital. Despite assurances that changes had been made, families argue that the toxic culture persists. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the Trust as inadequate, yet it continues to be responsible for some of the most vulnerable individuals in the mental health system.
In a controversial move, the Trust was fined £200,000 after pleading guilty to providing unsafe care—money that came from public funds, rather than those directly responsible for failures in care.
“These failures have no real consequences for the management and staff who were part of them,” a grieving parent stated. “Meanwhile, our loved ones are gone.”
The families are now preparing to launch a government petition for a full public inquiry. They plan to take further action after the upcoming elections, demanding systemic change to prevent more deaths and ensure that patient safety is prioritized over bureaucratic policies and cost-cutting measures.
“We won’t stop until those responsible are held accountable,” Beth’s mother declared. “Safe care should be just that—safe, therapeutic, and centered on protecting lives, not enabling harm.”
Our Managing Director, Aaron Kearney has had severe problems with TEWV at their community resource centre’s at Parkside – Middlesbrough and Stockton. At one point he had to involve an advocate from People’s First via Middlesbrough Healthwatch. Aaron says “I fully support the families and patients in this mission”
We are awaiting TEWV – Tees Esk Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust for comment
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