Nearly 2,000 families who lost loved ones in the care of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) over two decades have been left wondering if their concerns were ever properly addressed. A senior clinical manager has come forward with alarming allegations that the trust demanded he delete thousands of unresolved patient safety reports amidst an ongoing public inquiry. Brian O'Donnell, a clinical lead at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester, claims he was instructed to clear 4,000 reports, sparking concerns about a potential cover-up.
According to Mr O'Donnell's testimony to the Lampard Inquiry, in late 2024, he was tasked with reviewing thousands of incident reports dating back to 2021. Some of these reports documented serious incidents such as self-harm, assaults on staff, and racial abuse. He alleged that a senior member of staff instructed him to 'get these gone,' sparking his immediate concern that the trust was panicking about the inquiry.
The NHS England's guidance stipulates that all patient safety incidents must be thoroughly investigated and documented (NHS England, 2022). Mr O'Donnell revealed that he began closing some reports but stopped due to concerns that they may not have been properly dealt with. He further stated that the remaining reports later disappeared from his dashboard.
Mr O'Donnell's testimony highlighted significant staffing issues within the trust, including staff shortages and a culture of fear. He claimed that staff who raised concerns were often labelled as 'a nuisance or trouble-maker' and that attempts were made to silence him after he reported concerns following the death of 16-year-old Elise Sebastian.
Mr O'Donnell's decision to give evidence is rooted in his desire to provide closure for the affected families. He stated, 'I think we owe it to the families.' In response, Trevor Smith, chief executive of EPUT, reiterated that staff have a professional duty to report concerns and that efforts have been made to foster a culture where both colleagues and patients feel comfortable raising issues.