Agenda item

A report was presented to the Committee around the Doncaster Suicide Prevention Plan.  It was explained that Local Authorities had a responsibility to have local suicide prevention plans in place. The report provided an overview of local suicide data and provided Members with the Doncaster Suicide Prevention Plan for their consideration.

In relation of the data provided in relation to local suicides, it was explained that Doncaster’s prevalence was 10.1 per 100,000 compared with Yorkshire and Humber whose prevalence of 10.7 per 100,000 was higher.  It was outlined that between the years of 2013 and 2015, 65 males had taken their own life by suicide compared to 16 females and it was recognised that men were more at risk.  It was explained that Doncaster was not an outlier and that it was the national picture issue that presented concern to all of us and in particularly, males as a group. 

Members were informed that an action plan had been developed as the Public Health England (PHE) guidance made it clear that all Local Authorities required a local prevention plan.  It was explained that the Suicide Prevention Plan contained a range of themed actions in accordance with national PHE guidance and that this contributed to the prevention of suicides in Doncaster as well as support for those affected.  It was further explained that the new guidance challenged local partnerships about how they worked effectively together.

It was added that the delivery of the plan was overseen by the multi-disciplinary Suicide Prevention Group which met bi-monthly and was chaired by Dr. Seddon from Doncaster NHS CCG with support from the Public Health team.

It was outlined that in January 2017, a local conference had been held to refresh the local suicide prevention plan in accordance with the new Public Health England Guidance.  Members were informed that over 80 professionals from a range of disciplines  attended and workshops were conducted to define the actions for the refreshed plan in accordance with the nine themes of the national guidance, these included;

1. Reducing risk in men.
2. Preventing and responding to self-harm.
3. Mental health of children and young people.
4. Treatment of depression in primary care.
5. Acute mental health care.
6. Tackling high frequency locations.
7. Reducing isolation.
8. Bereavement support.
9. Data and intelligence.

Veterans – Concern was raised of what was in place for Veterans from this issue and that there were no figures within the report.  Members were informed that this group was at risk and was classed as an equality characteristic.  This group will therefore be audited and areas of concern picked up, in  addition to that, real time data surveillance could be provided for the following year and this would allow for further investigation.  It was also added that mortality data only presented information on the person’s last occupation where for veterans, being a member of the armed services was often that person’s first occupation and therefore that wouldn’t have been picked up.   In respect of the wider issues around Veterans, it was suggested that the Veterans plan should be added to the Panels workplan.

Suicide Prevention – In terms of prevention, it was recognised that this issue was often triggered by a major event and questioned what was being done to prevent suicides happening.  Members were informed about the future commissioning of dementia cafes that would take place in 2018.  Members were made aware of a small pot of funding of £5,000 per year available for areas within the action plan such as training and awareness campaigns.

Bereavement – Members were pleased to hear that further support would be made available for the bereavement service.  A Member shared with the Panel that they had witnessed through their involvement with foodbanks, how individuals they engaged with were often at the end of their tether.  For those individuals, bereavement was often raised as an issue and recognised as an unmet need.  Members were informed that there was a procurement exercise/tender in place and that the Council would be involved in developing the specification to ensure that those effected by bereavement would access the right support.

Members were informed that attempts had been made to engage with Emergency and Social Care services to ensure that those at high risk were appropriately referred.

The Mental Health Challenge – Members were reminded of an email that had been recently circulated looking for Member Champions.  It was explained that local authorities had been approached to take up The Mental Health Challenge as it was felt that they have a key role promoting wellbeing and improving mental health in their communities.

Social Isolation – A Member raised concern that those who were based within rural areas were more prone to be socially isolated and therefore more affected by this issue. 

Data and Information – Members were informed that the current database was able to search by postcode and could pick up significant patterns.  It was reported that since the last audit the information has got stronger for all those areas.  In respect of data recorded, it was clarified that there was no specific data on attempts as opposed to suicide. 

It was explained that reviews of cases would be undertaken when a suicide occured and would be treated as a child’s death and learn from those cases. It was suggested that the same should be applied for those deaths classed as a ‘misadventure’.

Children and Young People – A Member explained that in schools, where a child had responded that they had created a plan to take their own life, they could then be referred.  It was explained that there was no evidence that suggested that there was any harm in asking.  It was understood that asking this was intuitively very difficult.

Members were told about PAPYRUS, a national UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.  Members were informed that training had been commissioned through them called ‘Safetalk’ and that 300 professionals (including teachers) had been trained.  It was added that schools had been targeted and four had been invited to recent training from each locality. It was questioned whether the training could be opened to Governors and Members before it ended in February 2018.

It was added that this issue around Children and Young People was an area of focus at next prevention group meeting.

Broader Context - Concern was raised that this issue was not reflected in broader plans and polices.  It was felt that this issue should be fed back into all areas.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

1.    Note the data provided relating to local suicides, and assured of a robust Suicide Prevention Plan for Doncaster; and

That consideration be given to;

2.    Undertaking case reviews on those suicides and sudden deaths registered as ‘misadventures’;

3.    Widening SAFETALK training currently available for both School Governors and Members; and

4.    Further being done to explore what could be achieved across partnerships, picking up key plan and policies such as the Accountable Care Systems and mental health.