The Lampard Enquiry is the first statutory public investigation into deaths in NHS mental health inpatient care, examining more than 2,000 cases in Essex. In this blog, Dr Richard Dune explores how its findings are reshaping the national conversation on patient safety, governance, and accountability across the NHS. He highlights how systemic failures in leadership, culture, and oversight have driven the need for reform, and why the enquiry’s lessons must translate into lasting change through stronger governance frameworks, digital compliance systems, and compassionate, learning-driven leadership.

From 29 October 2025, women in England can access the morning-after pill free of charge at nearly 10,000 community pharmacies. In this blog, Dr Richard Dune examines how this landmark NHS initiative expands access, equality, and reproductive choice while placing pharmacies at the centre of women’s healthcare. He explores how the move tackles cost barriers, strengthens community-based care, and embeds governance, safeguarding, and professional training to ensure safe, equitable, and compassionate service delivery across England.

From 29 October 2025, women in England can now access the morning-after pill free of charge at nearly 10,000 community pharmacies. In this blog, Dr Richard Dune examines how this milestone in women’s health expands access, equality, and reproductive choice through pharmacy-led NHS services. He explores how the initiative removes long-standing barriers to contraception, strengthens community healthcare, and embeds governance, training, and safeguarding into service delivery. This policy marks a cultural shift toward proactive, equitable, and compassionate reproductive care at the heart of every community.

Behind every medical breakthrough lies something deeper than technology, the courage, ethics, and collaboration that make progress possible. In this blog, Dr Richard Dune reflects on his early years as an NHS research nurse and how those experiences shaped his understanding of ethical practice, governance, and innovation. He traces the evolution from paper-based systems to today’s digital research governance frameworks, highlighting how technology, compliance, and humanity must work together to protect patients, ensure integrity, and keep healthcare research worthy of public trust.