§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What the suicide rate is among NHS nurses; how this compares with the national average; and whether they consider this level acceptable.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege):In 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 47 recorded suicides of nurses, which accounted for 4.7 per cent. of all female suicides. Nurses and midwives rank sixth among female occupational groups for the risk of suicide, with a proportional mortality ratio of 1.5. No suicide is acceptable.