§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many independent inquiries into homicides committed by mentally ill people established under HSG(94)27 have not yet published reports but which are due to publish reports; [28658]
(2) how many independent inquiries set up under Health Service Guidelines HSG(94)27 into homicides committed by mentally ill people have published reports since the publication of the Clunis report; [28657]
(3) if he will make it his policy that the recommendations contained in inquiry reports published under HSG(94)27 are implemented by the NHS throughout England and Wales. [28659]
§ Mr. BoatengThirty two independent inquiries set up under Health Service Guidelines HSG(94)27 have published reports.
Twenty four independent inquiries are currently underway.
The purpose of independent inquiries in England is to ensure that lessons are learnt and remedial action is taken at local level. We expect the commissioning agencies to develop robust action plans in the light of recommendations. The National Health Service Executive monitors closely the implementation of these action plans.
It would not be appropriate to require recommendations contained in local inquiry reports to be implemented nationally. We would, of course, take into account any recommendations which had significance for national 495W policy. We are already funding the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental illness to develop a national overview.
There are separate arrangements in Wales for local mental health inquiries.