Mental Health (Hansard, 23 July 2004)

§ Mr. Heald
To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 27 May 2004,Official Report, column 1836W, on mental health, at what level such information is collected; if he will collect the information centrally in respect of the period sought; and if he will make a statement. [184695]

§ Ms Rosie Winterton
The national confidential inquiry (NCI) into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness collects information nationally on all people who complete suicide who were in contact with mental health services in the 12 months prior to death. In-patients are a priority for the NCI who collect information specifically related to those people who complete suicide whilst in in-patient care.
The NCI collects data on specific ligature points used for hanging; for example, bed curtain rails, hooks, handles, doors, bed heads and "other'. It does keep a list of "other' ligature points. The question about ligature points has been in the NCI questionnaire since 2000.

§ Mr. Heald
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are in place to ensure the safety of(a) patients and (b) the public when electrical power cuts disable automatic door release mechanisms in acute mental health wards; and if he will make a statement. [184934]

§ Mr. Hutton
National health service trusts are responsible for the safety procedures that apply when there are power cuts in acute mental health wards. NHS Estates produced guidance in 1993, under Health 911W Technical Memorandum (HTM) 2011 "Emergency Electrical Services—Management Policy", which is still extant, stating that each NHS site should have and be able to implement emergency procedures.

§ Mr. Heald
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account is taken of the risk of suicide in guidance given for the building of acute mental health wards; and if he will make a statement. [184941]

§ Mr. Hutton
Health Building Note 35 (Part 1), published in 1996, is a guide to the accommodation requirements for acute mental health services. It focuses on acute units where patients may be disturbed or suicidal. It provides guidance on general functional and design requirements and stresses the need for the provision of a safe and therapeutic environment that helps patients feel at ease.