Tom Gordon demands answers on the TEWV inquiry as NHS restructures risk it “falling by the wayside”

Tom Gordon, The Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough pressed
the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for answers on the inquiry into
local mental health trust failings, as NHS restructures risk it “falling by the wayside”.

The MP quizzed the new Minister in Parliament on the abolition of NHS England this
week during a session on health. Tom expressed his concerns that the Chair of the
TEWV (Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys) inquiry was already meant to be appointed and
that it was at risk of being lost amongst the current changes.

Mr Gordon’s interjection was first met with a cheer from his colleagues as he had
tried to intervene on the topic several times during the session. He asked whether
the Minister would meet with the families and work to get an inquiry Chair in place as
soon as possible.

The Minister responded that he was happy to look into the case before talking about
careful management to ensure continued progress whilst change is happening and
returning to an earlier point about funding for frontline care.

Mr Gordon’s question received cross-party support from Andrew McDonald MP, the
MP for Middlesborough and Thornaby East who added his voice to the calls for a
Chair to be appointed.

Tom said:
“These families have been through unimaginable difficulty, some of them have lost a
loved one due to inadequate care. The idea of promising an inquiry and then having
it fizzle out because of wider changes is unacceptable.

“I’ll continue to bang the drum for this with my colleagues in the region. We need a
Chair appointed ASAP or risk it falling by the wayside”.