Agenda item

DONCASTER CARING

A report was provided to Members alongside South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw data that gave an update on suicide prevention work in Doncaster in 2018, following a previous report to Overview and Scrutiny in 2017.

It was outlined that the suicide rate in Doncaster had remained more or less stable since 2001; however, since 2013 the suicide rate for men had risen slightly, whilst for women the rate has fallen. There were approximately 20 to 30 suicides in Doncaster per year and the Doncaster rate was similar to the national rate, at 10.1 per 100,000 of population. In an update to the Panel, it was explained that there had been 4 suicides of young women under 18 across Yorkshire which were extremely rare and that a rapid response meeting had taken place that would engage with public health.

A Member raised concern around the impact of bullying and social media.  Members were informed that the challenge would be taking forward a life course approach whilst taking into consideration social media and emerging trends.  

There was a brief discussion around South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw comparison table that indicated where Doncaster was in comparison to Doncaster’s compartments.  It was reported that Yorkshire and Humber average was 10.4 and Doncaster was in the middle at 10.1.

Areas where Doncaster was worse in significant to England included;

•        Emergency hospital admissions for self-harm,

•        Successful completion rate of drug users – opiate users and other drugs with the individual ageing whilst within the service, the alternative was that if users came out of the system they could overdose and die as a result.  It was added that Doncaster was positioned better than the Yorkshire and Humber average.

Risk Factors that were worse than Yorkshire and Humber average included the following:

•           Looked after children (under 18 population)

•           Children in the youth justice system aged 10 to 18

•           Long term unemployment: proportion of working age population

Of the above risk factor “children in the youth justice system aged 10 to 18”, reference was made to the work being undertaken within the Youth Justice Plan, in particular, with first time entrants. 

And finally, better than Yorkshire and Humber average;

•           Statutory homelessness

•           Adult carers who have as much social contact as they would like

A Member commented that similar to adult carers having as much social contact as they would like, that young people also needed further encouragement to have this and should be treated with the same parity as with adult carers.  It was added that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) group could be more adversely affected.  Members were provided with assurances that the LBTQ group was well-attended and had demonstrated some positive views about this issue.

Regarding adult carers, it was felt that there were links to those in long term unemployment and mental health problems.  A Member commented that within the workplace, individual contracts of employment and staff handbooks provided organisational support for domestic crisis and special leave, however, it was recognised that this might not be offered in all organisations.  It was questioned whether different types of work patterns could be taken into consideration.  It was commented that working families were trying to maintain a worklife balance. Members were informed that colleagues were looking at a healthy workplace accreditation scheme where employees could be more supported.

A Member raised his concern that there were mixed messages and attitudes around death, particularly, when individuals felt that it would provide certain solutions.  Members were reminded of the three year plan in place to address suicide prevention and the additional money that Doncaster would be receiving. 

Data and Further Research - Members were informed that more in-depth research would be undertaken around 2015-2017, taking into consideration qualitative factors mapping where suicides had occurred.  It was added that a clusters of suicides had taken place around urban centres. It was explained that the % of bereavement by suicide, mainly applied to white British. 

Training - It was highlighted from the presentation that Papyrus had undertaken the prevention of young suicide training with 211 schools/colleges.  Members were informed that RDaSH provided STORM training to other frontline workers.  Finally, reference was made to training being undertaken in prison with those prisoners due for release.

Members were informed that Bradford was sharing its protocol with their Coroner Services office to ensure that those affected were offered support as they could potentially be at risk.  It was considered essential that a positive relationship could be developed with the local media to ensure that reporting could be done be responsibility at both a regional and a local level.

Veterans - Members welcomed the support that was being provided.  Reference was made to when the Ministry of Defence had previously provided a package of training through certain organisations.  Concern was raised around ex-forces personnel that had experienced post-traumatic stress and it was questioned what was in place now.

The Stronger Communities Wellbeing Manager commented that this provision of support to ex-forces personnel might not have changed a great deal. Members were reminded that a report on the Veteran Plan was going to the Health and Adult Social Care Panel in January 2019.  It was commented that there was a great deal of work being undertaken at a local level.

Gambling - A Member raised concern around debt and its links to gambling, suicide and mental health.  Reference was made to the work of the Financial Inclusion Group and the gambling policy.  It was suggested that it may be included as a strand in the next iteration of the plan. 

It was commented that there wasn’t one consistent means to target suicide prevention, therefore, there was a need to start looking at data more closely.  One approach was looking at individual case records for issues such as debt.

Doncaster Suicide Prevention Plan - The main aim of the Suicide Prevention Plan was to reduce suicide by 10% across SYB by 2020/2.

It was explained that there would be £84,000 of the £500,000 to spend and additional money would be made available in 2019/2020. Reporting would be taken to the Suicide Prevention group on how the plan would be delivered and how money has been spent with an evaluation undertaken as to whether it has worked or not.

A Member raised concern that £84,000 may not go a long way taking into consideration all areas of concern and that perhaps there should be a more targeted approach.

Members heard that some activities undertaken had included a local men’s campaign that encouraged people to talk to one other and a film that had been created by local people around men’s mental health. It was also added that work was taking place with all four prison establishments, in particular, with those at risk.

Members were assured that a significant amount had been invested in mental health prevention including children’s mental health with work taking place within organisations.  A Member raised concern that individuals with mental health as well as substance misuse problems were not dealt with until the individual was no longer misusing. 

In terms of those who were socially isolated and lonely, it was recognised that those individuals were at a greater risk.  It was shared that there was a great deal being done nationally to promote mental health through sport.

Members commended the presentation and work being undertaken to address this issue.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

I.        note the report and presentation provided; and

II.       that the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Workplan be made aware of the suicide risk factor around children in the youth justice system aged 10 to 18 (which is currently worse than Yorkshire and Humber average) and that this be considered further as part its own future workplan.