To coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, NHS Resolution published a report setting out recommendations with a view to reducing the risk of suicide-related incidents and improving Trusts’ responses to such incidences.

The report, authored by Dr Alice Oates, clinical fellow for NHS Resolution, analyses in depth the data held by NHS Resolution on compensation claims that relate to completed suicide and attempted suicide between 2015 and 2017. The report identifies the clinical and non-clinical issues in care that arose in those claims, seeking to help Trusts improve their suicide prevention work and, in turn, improve patient care and prevent future harm.

Writing in the report’s foreword, Dr Oates outlines: “Approximately 25% of people who go on to take their lives are in contact with mental health services in the year before their death. While it is important to review where services could better support these people, it must be acknowledged that suicide is also a societal issue. We all have a collective responsibility to better support those for whom suicide is an option.”

The report sets out 9 detailed recommendations for NHS Trusts and other bodies/partners which highlight potential learning.  One recommendation calls for ‘a systemic and systematic approach to communication’.  Dr Oates outlines a key priority in preventing future harm is to develop more integrated approaches to mental health given the close links between mental health and physical health outcomes.

Encouragingly for London, Thrive LDN, the citywide movement to improve mental health, was labelled within the report as an example of good practice for how to ‘facilitate communication across services’.

The report cited Thrive LDN’s partnership working and collaboration with a range of partners across the capital, including the Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport  Police, Transport for London, London Ambulance Service, organisations associated with London’s railways and the Thames, NHS England and Public Health England (London region), third sector and academic partners, and importantly those with lived experience.

Commenting on the report, Úna Carney, who leads the Thrive LDN team, said: “This is a well-written and informative report.  The findings are useful for everyone working across the health and care system to engage with.

“Thrive LDN is proud to have been cited as an example of good practice.  From our experience we know how important it is for agencies and organisations to work together if we are to achieve our aspiration for London to be a zero suicide city.  The report is an important milestone to help embed this ethos, not just across London but also nationally.”

Whilst NHS Resolution’s report will be of particular interest to mental health service providers, its recommendations are of significance to the wider NHS in the context of suicide prevention and work following suicide-related incidents.

The full report can be accessed by clicking here.

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