We may never know how many died in the remit of this inquiry'

'Deeply shocking scale' of alleged mental health failings

- Sam Russell

AN inquiry examining the deaths of at least 2,000 mental health patients will investigate alleged failings on a "scale that's deeply shocking", its chairwoman said.

Baroness Kate Lampard said "we may never have a definitive number of deaths put forward within the inquiry's remit".

The figure would be "significantly in excess" of 2,000 inpatients receiving mental health care in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

Bereaved parents and families gathered outside the venue at the opening of the inquiry in Chelmsford yesterday, leaving placards with photos of loved ones who had died.

Shocking