During testimony at the Lampard Inquiry, Brian O’Donnell, a clinical lead at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester, stated that he was directed to address approximately 4,000 unresolved patient safety reports at the end of 2024. O’Donnell alleged that a senior staff member instructed him that the reports needed to be “gone,” with the apparent aim of processing and removing them from the system. The reports encompassed various incidents including self-harm, assaults on staff members, and racial abuse, with some dating back to 2021.
O’Donnell described the approach taken by the trust as contrary to thorough investigation practices. He explained that rather than receiving directives for comprehensive review and feedback, the instructions focused on processing and clearing the reports. Initially, O’Donnell closed some reports but subsequently stopped the practice, stating he could not in good conscience put his name to investigations he had not thoroughly conducted. He indicated that the remaining reports eventually disappeared from his dashboard without his knowledge of their ultimate disposition.
O’Donnell also raised concerns regarding staffing levels at the facility, noting that even theoretical full staffing still resulted in gaps in the rota. He claimed that staff members who voiced concerns were frequently characterized as problematic or troublesome. Following his decision to raise concerns with a coroner regarding the death of 16-year-old Elise Sebastian, O’Donnell alleged that his access to incident reporting systems was removed four days later, which he characterized as a deliberate effort to prevent him from speaking publicly.
Additionally, O’Donnell alleged that staff received guidance to provide minimal statements at inquests and suggested the trust prioritized its reputation over supporting individuals willing to speak out. The Lampard Inquiry was established following deaths of more than 2,000 mental health patients over a 24-year period. Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust stated that all reports are taken seriously, recorded, and investigated, and emphasized that staff have a professional duty to report concerns.
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