A councillor has told how she felt suicidal after receiving care from a regional healthcare trust, as she warned people have lost faith in the service. 

Cllr Joanne Howey called on bosses at Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust (TEWV) for urgent action to improve following several deaths and failures associated with its care. 

The trust provides mental health and learning disability services to people in the North East. A recent inspection found more improvements are needed after concerns were raised regarding its quality of care. 

In September, the trust admitted failures in the care of two patients who took their own lives. 

The Conservative member from Bishop Auckland shared her experience of using the service in an emotional statement during a Durham County Council health scrutiny meeting. She hopes sharing her experience will help create a better all-round service in the future. 

The Northern Echo: The Conservative member from Bishop Auckland shared her experience of using the service in an emotional statement during a Durham County Council health scrutiny meeting.The Conservative member from Bishop Auckland shared her experience of using the service in an emotional statement during a Durham County Council health scrutiny meeting. (Image: Cllr Joanne Howey)

Cllr Howey said: “The treatment I had, going back a few years, I actually wanted to take my own life after because I felt worse after. 

“Everyone knows it’s a difficult service not working properly. People have got no faith in TEWV anymore with the deaths that have happened recently. 

“There’s more people than ever needing the service but people are so scared to go to TEWV they would rather pay for private because they don’t have the confidence in the service anymore.” 

Elspeth Devanney, Director of Nursing and Quality, admitted it will take time for the public to rebuild its faith in the trust but insisted it is getting better. 

She said: “I absolutely hear what you’re saying and we are beginning to show signs of improving and turning the corner. It will take us time, but what we don’t want is people not asking for help because they are fearful of what care they might receive.”

Representatives from TEWV attended the meeting to update members on how they were improving the service and prioritising patient safety. A survey found 50 per cent of patients said they feel safe “all of the time” but the officials admitted there is still work to do. 

Some respondents said they don’t feel safe because of a lack of staff visibility and violence. Workers said they didn’t always feel safe due to low staffing numbers and complex patients.

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Staff on ten wards are now using body worn cameras as part of a move to reduce restrictive interventions and self-harm. 

Ms Devanney said: “We have faced some challenges, however there has been success in this area particularly in adult learning services. We have found this approach to be helpful in how we use it to look and review practice and make sure patients are protected safely and effectively.”

Following the meeting, cllr Howey said: “I work tirelessly to uncover areas where the system can be improved to better meet the needs of individuals during their most vulnerable moments. I hope that through discussions prompted by my experience, we can work towards fostering a healthcare environment that is not only clinically effective but also empathetic and supportive.”