Meeting documents

Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (DCC)
Monday 6 December 2004


            Meeting: Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1a - 06/12/2004 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A5 Suicide Prevention in County Durham and Darlington - Presentation by Neil Johnson, County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust


         

Scrutiny Sub-Committee to Promote Strong, Healthy and Safe Communities

6th December 2004

Suicide Prevention within County Durham and Darlington

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny


Purpose of Report

1. To introduce a presentation by Neil Johnson, Project Manager for Suicide Prevention, County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust.

Background

2. An audit of suicides in County Durham and Darlington over a three year period (1999-2001) has been carried out by the Priority Services NHS Trust. During that period there were 205 suicides in the audit area (including verdicts where suicide was deemed to have been either probable or possible). 75% of all suicides were males. Of the total number of suicides, 39.5% were aged under 35, compared with a national figure of 34% for this age category (2001).

3. The audit document includes details of:

  • The circumstances of death
  • Demographics and Personal Circumstances
  • Contact with:
  • Primary Care Services
  • Accident and Emergency Departments
  • Mental Health Services
  • Social Services
  • Criminal Justice Services
  • Key Findings and Recommendations
4. The suicide rate nationally in 2001 was 10 persons per 100,000 population. The overall rate for County Durham and Darlington was 11.6, although within Primary Care Trust areas, rates in some localities were considerably higher (Consett East - 43.1 and Seaham Harbour - 37.9).

Recommended

5. This report and the presentation are for information. A copy of the Executive Summary document can be provided to Members on request.



Contact: Tom Bolton Tel: 0191 383 3149





Attachments


 suicide report.doc