Agenda item

The Board received a report seeking consideration of Oldham’s Suicide Prevention Plan and the future governance arrangements for the Oldham Suicide Prevention Group. 

Local authorities have held the responsibility for developing local suicide action plans through their work with Health and Wellbeing Boards since 2012.  In line with the national picture, Oldham had formed a multi-agency Suicide Prevention Partnership, incorporating public health, the clinical commissioning group, social care, primary and secondary care, the voluntary sector, the criminal justice system and those affected by suicide.

The partnership group had acquired data on an ongoing basis from various sources, including anecdotal information, coroners’ reports and service level data from health, social care and community agencies.  Oldham’s Suicide Prevention Strategy and action plan (2017-2020), appended to the submitted report, was currently owned and reviewed by the Partnership Group. The Oldham Locality Plan for Health and Social Care Transformation 2016-2021 further highlighted a commitment to addressing mental health in Oldham, which included promoting good mental wellbeing, tackling stigma, preventing poor mental health and actions to promote recovery.

Dr Jeffery, Clinical Director for Mental Health and Chair of the Partnership Group introduced a presentation giving specific information about suicide issues in Oldham.  To address these issues it was recognised that preventing suicide needed more than just addressing high risk groups, that the emotional health of children and young people was an important focus, and that there was a need to provide support for low level mental health issues and to address social determinants of health.  The presentation further considered progress made to date locally and across Greater Manchester (GM) (a GM Suicide Prevention Strategy developed by the GM Health and Social Care Partnership was further appended to the submitted report), and considered future local plans and priorities as contained in a revised action plan.  Dr Jeffery also presented a consideration of the governance arrangements for the Suicide Prevention Partnership Group in the context of links to the GM level and the Oldham Mental Health Strategy Partnership Group.

Members noted that after a suicide it was common for family and friends to say that there were not services or support available for suicide prevention/mental health.  There are services available, but there needed to be a consideration as to how to promote them so they could be known and readily accessed in the same way as services for, for example, chest pain.  Options suggested included bus advertising, digital resources for community workers and, in referencing feedback form the Youth Council, young persons’ peer support.  Against this was the acknowledged position that people were less likely to admit to a mental health issue.

The Director of Public Health advised on the whole population approach adopted to address suicide, as a targeted approach could miss other people who might be assisted or potential interventions similarly missed.  The Board was advised of he GM Fire Service approach around mental health issues which sought to normalise situations, noting that basic skills training around CPR saved lives and so there was a need for something similar for mental health to give staff the confidence to talk about the issue.  Reference was made to materials on the GM ‘Shine a Light on Suicide’ campaign website that provided a useful tool but which needed further promotion.

With regard to governance, the Suicide Prevention Partnership reported to the Mental Health Strategy Partnership Group, but the Board was asked to consider giving its support and lead on delivery.

The Chair thanked Dr Jeffery and Vicki Gould for a thoughtful and thought provoking presentation of this issue.

RESOLVED that (1) the current Oldham Suicide Prevention Strategy 2017-20 be noted and supported;

            (2) the governance for the delivery of the Oldham Suicide Prevention Strategy 2017-20 be formally taken on by this Board.