In December 2025, Health Secretary Wes Streeting ordered a Statutory Public Inquiry into Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust. This follows multiple failures in patient care that tragically resulted in preventable deaths and failure to provide appropriate treatment. Watson Woodhouse Solicitors were instrumental in the campaign for a Public Inquiry to seek justice for all of those effected. Watson Woodhouse Solicitors have worked alongside families to call for accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform within mental health services.

Watson Woodhouse Solicitors currently represent a significant number of families affected by the Trust’s failings.  Our role has included supporting families through inquest proceedings, seeking answers about failings which resulted in preventable deaths.  Watson Woodhouse Solicitors have also successfully represented a number of families and patients in successful civil claims seeking recompense for deficiencies in care provided by the Trust.

At this time Watson Woodhouse Solicitors are seeking core participant status in the Public Inquiry to advance the concerns of families and their loved ones in light of the substandard performance of the Trust.  The inquiry aims to review past failings in relation to both inpatient and outpatient mental health care, failures in structures, reporting of problems and accountability and how meaningful change can be implemented to ensure the public have faith in the provision of mental health services within the region.

Contact Us

Anyone affected by TEWV who wishes to share relevant information is encouraged to do so. Watson Woodhouse Solicitors can provide guidance and support to families looking to contribute to the inquiry. You can call us on 01642 247656. Alternatively, complete our online contact form and one of our solicitors will be in touch.