‘Organisational shame’ driving defensive behaviour at inquiry trust

Staff at a trust subject to a statutory inquiry are paralysed by fear, a review has discovered.

Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust is under scrutiny by the Lampard Inquiry, which is examining the deaths of over 2,000 services users in the organisation’s care. It began in 2023 and is expected to report by 2028.

An external review of how the trust is coping has been undertaken by the King’s Fund and charity brap.

This has revealed the impact of the Lampard Inquiry, service pressure, and financial constraints on senior managers, middle managers, and frontline staff.

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Source: Health Service Journal, 6 October 2026