§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress is being made towards achieving the "Health of the Nation" target relating to suicides among severely mentally ill people; [26649]
(2) how her Department (a) currently monitors and (b) proposes to monitor progress towards the "Health of the Nation" target relating to suicides among severely mentally ill people. [26648]
§ Mr. BowisFollowing the references to the limitations in available data in the "Health of the Nation" White Paper, we have carried out some detailed technical work to identify a viable measure. We have decided to introduce from next year district returns which show the incidence of suicide and unexplained death among severely mentally ill people, defined for the time being as people subject to a care programme. This will enable changes in the incidence to be tracked.