§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what standards on(a) furniture and (b) accessories the Government sets for those caring for mental health patients in an effort to reduce the risk of suicide; and whose responsibility it is to ensure that these standards are met; [154416]
(2) what standards are applied to the building of mental health institutions in order to lower the risk of patient suicides. [154421]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonNHS Estates publishes guidance for psychiatric accommodation in the form of hospital building notes (HBNs) and design guides (DCs). NHS Estates also provide technical guidance to supplement HBNs and DCs covering individual elements of buildings such as doors, windows etc.
Other guidance includes "Psychiatric intensive care units— policy guidance and standards" published by the Department of Health.
Guidance was also issued in September 2000 to eliminate the possibility of suicides from cubicle curtain tracks, window curtain tracks and shower rails by replacing the ligature points with low weight release systems. This work was completed by April 2002. Attention was also drawn to many other ligature points which should also be removed including wardrobe rails, door closers, rigid fixed coat hooks, door handles, window mechanisms and radiators.
It is the responsibility of the trust and their professional advisors to satisfy themselves that all measures possible have been taken to eliminate the risk of self-harm by a patient.
"The Architectural Healthcare Environment and its Effects on Patient Health Outcomes" an NHS Estates funded research project undertaken by Sheffield University, includes standards which contribute to a reduction in the risk of suicide.
The standards being used in newly designed psychiatric facilities are providing a very high standard of design quality with good space standards, plenty of 1692W natural light and ventilation, privacy and dignity for the patients and access to a range of therapeutic facilities and external spaces.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government's policy is on reducing the risks of suicide in mental health hospitals. [154417]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England has identified those in touch with mental health services as a group at high risk of suicide. The strategy sets out a number of actions mental health services need to take to reduce the risk of suicides within this high risk group. The first annual report of the suicide prevention programme sets out progress made so far and further action that needs to be taken in the medium and longer term. A copy of the report is available in the Library.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health to what(a) precedent cases and (b) expert knowledge (i) the Government and (ii) relevant bodies refer when seeking to reduce the risks of suicide in mental health hospitals. [154419]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) funds the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness to ensure that everyone involved in mental health services learns and implements lessons from the factors associated with serious incidents. The inquiry team published Safety First: Five Year Report in 2001. The key findings and recommendations outlined in this report also helped to develop the national suicide prevention strategy. The National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) has developed a toolkit to help mental health services implement the report's recommendations.
In addition, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) plays a key role in bringing patient safety to a national level, enabling the entire National Health Service to learn from incidents and make itself safer and more stress free for patients.
Finally, Standard 7 of the national service framework for mental health requires local health and social care communities to develop local systems for suicide audit to learn lessons and take any necessary action.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the links between suicide in mental health institutions and high drug abuse and dependency rates. [154420]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonSafety First, the five year report of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, highlighted substance abuse as a risk factor in incidents of suicide by people under the care of mental health services and set out recommendations for local services based on these findings. These included local strategies for dual diagnosis covering training on the management of substance misuse, joint working with substance misuse services, and staff with specific responsibility to develop the local service.