§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress on the inquiry into homicides and suicides committed by discharged psychiatric patients announced on 23 October 1991.
§ Mr. BowisThe confidential inquiry into homicides and suicides by mentally ill people being conducted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists has commenced and is identifying cases of homicide by mentally ill people under the care of or recently discharged by the specialist psychiatric services. Of the 68 cases reviewed to date, 20 631W fall within the inquiry's remit and a further 12 are being followed up for clarification. Clinical staff are being approached in confidence for detailed information.
The inquiry is also looking at suicides by mentally ill people and has received a positive response. In some areas audit mechanisms have been set up to identify cases and give details of events surrounding the suicide. Collation of information began on 1 June this year when the inquiry has been notified of 55 cases for follow-up.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many internal inquiries have been conducted in the last five years by local authorities, health authorities, social services inspectorates and the courts into circumstances in which mentally ill people have been discharged into the community under the statutory after care provisions in section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, subsequently to commit serious injury, assault, manslaughter or murder; and how many have been made public.