Bereaved families urge ban on Oxevision cameras in mental health wards

Lawyers for more than 70 bereaved families have urged the chair of the Lampard inquiry to recommend stopping the use of Oxevision cameras on mental health inpatient wards across England.

The call was made on 20 October 2026 during the inquiry's proceedings, according to The Guardian. The lawyers asked inquiry chair Kate Lampard to recommend an end to the system's use nationally.

Oxevision is an infrared camera surveillance system used in half of England's mental health wards. It is manufactured by Oxford-based Lio.

The request followed evidence that five patients killed themselves or died unexpectedly in two years while under Oxevision surveillance at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. The trust runs mental health services in Essex, where the deaths under examination occurred.

Two of those cases were described in detail. Elise Sebastian, 16, killed herself in 2021 when staff had muted Oxevision's alarm system. In 2022, Sophie Alderman mistakenly believed that Oxevision would bring staff to save her.

Peter Mant KC, representing the families, told the inquiry that Oxevision had frequently been used as a substitute for in-person observations. The families argue that camera monitoring cannot replace direct checks by staff.

The Lampard inquiry, which began in 2024, is examining more than 2,000 mental health deaths in Essex over a 23-year period. Lampard is considering issuing interim recommendations on Oxevision use if necessary to prevent more deaths.

The inquiry held a three-week public hearing from 5 to 22 October 2026 at the Civic Centre in Chelmsford.