Chair appointed to lead Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Trust inquiry
Chair to the public inquiry into mental health care at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) appointed
- His Honour Judge John Potter has been appointed chair of the public inquiry into serious failings in mental health care at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).
- The public inquiry, which will give survivors and families the opportunity to be heard and drive urgent improvements, will formally start on 21 September.
His Honour Judge Roderick John Conwy Potter has been appointed to chair the public inquiry into mental health care at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).
The inquiry, launched by the government in December 2025, will aim to establish what happened in serious failings in mental health care at TEWV, why failings occurred and what needs to change to help ensure patients receive safe, high-quality care.
A retired Circuit Judge and former Deputy Judge of the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal, Judge Potter has over forty years’ experience in public service, judicial leadership, and the administration of justice.
With Judge Potter’s appointment, the public inquiry will formally start on 21 September.
The Department of Health and Social Care has been working with patients, survivors, and families to help shape its approach to the public inquiry, including engaging with patients and families on matters they would like the inquiry to consider and the qualities they would want to see in a chair.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper said:
The families who were let down by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust have suffered immeasurable pain.
Judge Potter has been asked to deliver a comprehensive report into why and how things went so wrong across the trust’s mental health services, and what changes must be made.
His Honour Judge Potter said:
I am honoured to have been appointed to Chair the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Inquiry. I am conscious of the responsibility that comes with this role and of the experiences of the patients, families and others affected by the matters the Inquiry will examine.
My first priority will be to meet and listen to those affected. Their voices and experiences will be central to the Inquiry’s work and will help inform the development of its Terms of Reference.
The Inquiry will approach its task independently, thoroughly and fairly, and with respect for everyone who takes part. I will work with the Inquiry team to put the necessary arrangements in place so that our work can begin as promptly as proper preparation allows.
This follows this government’s progress to improve mental health services, including:
- 159 new NHS mental health facilities across England, backed by £343 million, to help fewer people reach crisis point.
- The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England and improving support for those affected by self-harm or bereaved by suicide.
- NHS mental health spending will rise to a record £16.1 billion in 2026 to 2027, a real terms increase of around £140 million.
- Later this year, the Mental Health Strategy for England will set out how the government will build a more integrated mental health system that intervenes earlier, cuts waiting times for support, and helps people stay active in education, work, family and community life.