The mother of a 16-year-old girl who died while receiving care at an Essex mental-health unit has urged a public inquiry to ensure that its findings lead to meaningful reform.

Victoria Sebastian gave evidence to the Lampard Inquiry, which is examining the deaths of more than 2,000 people who were under the care of Essex mental-health services between 2000 and 2023.

Questions over care and supervision

Her daughter, Elise Sebastian, was autistic and was found unresponsive in her room at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester in April 2021. A coroner later concluded that neglect contributed to her death.

The inquiry heard that Elise should have been receiving one-to-one observation, but staffing pressures made that difficult to provide. Although she was not meant to be left alone, evidence presented to the hearing said she was by herself for 28 minutes before she died.

Victoria told the inquiry that staff did not properly understand Elise’s autism, physical-health concerns or the extent of her distress. She said her daughter had experienced anxiety from childhood and had repeatedly sought help for other health problems.

Inquiry promises families will be heard

Baroness Lampard, who is leading the inquiry, said bereaved families would remain central to its work as it investigates systemic failures and identifies lessons for mental-health services across the country.

Victoria called for infrared camera monitoring to be prohibited on mental-health wards and for families to have a greater role in decisions about treatment and safety.

Trevor Smith, chief executive of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, apologised that Elise did not receive the care she deserved and said healthcare organisations had a shared responsibility to improve treatment.

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Source: Reporting by the BBC.