Jeremy Hunt launches drive for 'zero suicides' in NHS
Jeremy Hunt has ordered NHS mental health trusts to draw up plans to eliminate suicides under their watch.
Jeremy Hunt has vowed to take action on suicideThe Health Secretary announced a £25m drive to achieve “zero suicide as a national ambition”.
He will today outline plans to improve patient monitoring, boost training for staff and ensure faster action if somebody is considered to be at risk.
A quarter of suicides in England occur among people already in contact with mental health services.
In an article for the Daily Telegraph, Mr Hunt said: “The sad truth is that too many people still take their own lives – around 16 people every single day.
“And I am concerned that a considerable number of these deaths – around 80 a year – happen to in-patients in the care of NHS mental health organisations.”
He added: “That is why today I am announcing the next step in our ambition – a new requirement that all NHS mental health organisations should draw up detailed plans to achieve zero suicides, starting with those in inpatient settings, meaning that the NHS in England will be the first country in the world to roll out zero suicide as a national ambition.”
sueilsley_32327
08:41 on 31st January 2018
Well lets hope the £25,000,000 doesn't go to commissioning organisations ( jobs for the boys) that do not reach the parts. People in Crisis need people to talk to and what they need are Peers ( those that have been there and know from experience what it's like). Peer support workers exist but many have not had their own experience, they have just been observers of others. Intentional Peer Support is taught in UK but most commissioners, do not want to pay for it because it exists in the non statutory sector they want it for free . Peer works best with volunteers as it keep the relationship with both Peer and person on an equal footing but it has to be organised, administered and supervised. However there is an argument for valuing the Peer tole by paying a wage. I will watch this space!