§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps the Government are taking to make its suicide prevention strategy accessible to deaf people; [134941]
(2) what measures he is taking to encourage the collection of information on suicides by deaf people at primary care trust level. [134942]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe suicide prevention strategy was launched in September 2002. The strategy is still available in hard copy and can also be accessed via the Department of Health and National Institute for Mental Health in England websites. The deaf community is able to request copies of the document through the Department of Health Publications Orderline on minicom.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) are required to carry, out suicide audits as part of their performance review process, but this does not, however, require PCTs to collect data about deaf people as distinct from any other group.
The development of mental health services for deaf people, "A Sign of the Times", was the subject of a separate extensive consultation, which concluded earlier this year. Officials are currently considering how to represent the many high quality responses received.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government is taking to develop evidence-based service provision for the prevention of mental health problems in deaf people. [134943]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe evidence that we have indicates, as outlined in the consultation document Sign of the Times, that access to a full range of services, 597W support to parents in the early years and appropriate educational provision are likely to be the important factors.
The responsibility for assessing the needs of their entire populations, and for making the provision they consider most appropriate, lies with the primary care trusts.