The review found that ten mental health trusts were not operating their consent mechanisms in line with the digital principles. NHS England passed information to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after reviewing digital monitoring systems.
The Lampard Inquiry is examining deaths of more than 2,000 people within mental health units across Essex between 2000 and 2023. NHS England first became aware of safety concerns related to Oxevision in 2021.
An internal NHS England email from 2022 showed awareness of trusts where patients were not being given the choice to refuse being filmed. In 2023, NHS England wrote to mental health trusts advising that monitoring technology should not be introduced as a blanket approach.
Lawyers representing bereaved families questioned the delay in NHS England's action. Gareth Harry from NHS England stated that their oversight was not 'ineffective'.
Harry stated that every provider of mental health services should have values driven by a human rights approach. A CQC spokesperson stated that providers have a responsibility to offer safe, high-quality care.
The regulator, the CQC, is scheduled to give evidence to the Lampard Inquiry on 7 October. The current hearings are expected to continue until 15 October.
The Lampard Inquiry's final report is due in 2028.
