Deaths at Essex NHS Trust institutions probed by police Published duration 14 September 2017

image copyright Leahy family image caption Matthew Leahy was found hanged at the Linden Centre in 2012

Nine NHS institutions, including mental health units, are being investigated as part of a police inquiry into multiple deaths at a trust.

Up to 25 deaths at the North Essex Partnership University Trust dating back to 2000 are now being probed by Essex Police.

Inquiries began after Matthew Leahy's death at the Linden Centre in 2012.

Police would not confirm which units were being probed. The trust said it was "cooperating fully" with police.

Initially, it was understood the police investigation was looking at up to 20 deaths at the Linden Centre in Chelmsford, but now deaths at multiple centres run by the trust are being investigated.

The force said a number of people had been spoken to during the inquiry but no arrests had been made.

Failings and miss opportunities

Inquiries began in January following allegations surrounding the death of Mr Leahy, 20, at the Chelmsford facility in November 2012.

Mr Leahy was admitted after his mental health problems had spiralled following cannabis use. He was later found hanged at the centre.

Two years later, an inquest concluded Mr Leahy had been subjected to a series of failings and missed opportunities over a long period of time.

The trust has begun a review of the current suicide training packages and are undertaking an audit of ligature.

A trust statement said: "We extend our sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and assure them that the actions detailed in our response from May this year are all on track.

"We will continue to work with staff and patients to implement the actions identified in our own internal investigations."