'The NHS at its worst', ex-ombudsman tells inquiry

A former health ombudsman has condemned mental health services for their handling of two vulnerable young men who died in their care.

Sir Rob Behrens, who was parliamentary and health service ombudsman (PHSO) from 2017 to 2024, spoke at the Lampard Inquiry, which is examining the deaths of more than 2,000 people under mental health services in Essex over a 24-year period.

Sir Rob said it was "a disgrace" how Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) had failed in its care of 20-year-old Matthew Leahy, who died in 2012, and a 20-year-old man referred to as Mr R, who died in 2008.

"This was the National Health Service at its worst and needed calling out," Sir Rob said.

Sir Rob referred in his inquiry appearance to several reports made during his tenure, including "Missed Opportunities", which looked into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mr Leahy and Mr R.

Mr Leahy was found unresponsive at the Linden Centre in Chelmsford. He reported being raped there just days before he died.

Sir Rob told the inquiry the PHSO identified "19 instances of maladministration" in Mr Leahy's case by North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust - a predecessor to EPUT - including that his care plan was falsified.

The former ombudsman said there had been "a near-complete failure of the leadership of this trust, certainly before it was merged" with South Essex Partnership Trust to become EPUT.

"This was an indictment of the health service," he added.

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Source: BBC News, 6 May 2025