Agenda item

Report of Consultant in Public Health, J Fowles.

The Board received a report and presentation of the Consultant in Public Health, J Fowles, regarding the Suicide Prevention Annual Report 2024.

The report advised that Coventry and Warwickshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2030 highlighted the importance of having a local Real Time Surveillance System (RTSS).

RTSS for suicides referred to a system designed to capture data on suspected suicides in near real-time, enabling quicker intervention, support for bereaved individuals, and detection of potential clusters.

A specialist Real Time Surveillance Coordinator collected, analysed and disseminates the data gathered from Coventry and Warwickshire Coroner officers, where appropriate.  This included to the C&W Suicide Prevention Steering Group, C&W Suicide Prevention Network and through thematic Learning Panels.

The Annual Report is for partners to use to help to shape suicide prevention activity across Coventry and Warwickshire, align priorities and work together to reduce duplication and strengthen partnerships.  The report was based on anonymised data drawn from the Coventry RTSS system, submitted for inquest to the Coventry and Warwickshire Coroner Officers.

The Coventry and Warwickshire RTSS system was highly regarded due to the positive collaboration with partners and the positive relationship with the Coroners offices enabled the Real Time Surveillance Officer to analyse up to date data, meaning potentially the reduction in risk to residents.

Across Coventry and Warwickshire during 2024, there were 92 suspected suicides, a 10% decrease compared to 106 in 2023.

It was noted that Amparo, who delivered a suicide bereavement service across Coventry and Warwickshire, were unable to join the meeting however, access to Amparo was free and they offered emotional support and practical support to navigate the coroner system. Amparo also offered training for professionals regarding how to refer into the system and to Councillors around engagement.  Quarterly monitoring meetings took place between Public Health officers and Amparo.

Members of the Board, having considered the content of the report and asked questions and received information from officers on the following matters:

• New learnings and information organisations should take note of relating to identifying triggers would be included in the full published Annual Report which would contain recommendations on suicide prevention.
• Work was ongoing at a national level using RTSS to see if trends or patterns could be identified which may be applied locally.
• Exploration work for people who have co-occurring substance misuse and mental health issues was taking place with the Substance Misuse Service to see what might be done differently.
• Coventry had been working with RTSS for a while but nationally, it was still in its infancy.
• Suicide awareness training, ensuring employers, friends and family were aware of signs and triggers of suicide was of paramount importance. 
• Awareness of the rise of suicide in women was vital in order for the right support to be provided.
• Cultural stigmas prevented some people from accessing mental health services.
• Loneliness within particular communities ie. LGBTQ+ was a factor which required further consideration.

The Board requested:

• Case studies from Amparo to be shared with the Board.
• Creation and circulation of suicide awareness information for partner organisations.
• Circulate Annual Report to the Board once signed off which includes learnings and recommendations.

The Chair, Councillor K Caan, welcomed the work of Amparo and thanked officers for the presentation.

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board:

1)  Note the key highlights of the Coventry and Warwickshire Suicide prevention Annual Report 2024.

2)  Note that organisations review the offer of support available to their workforces about suicide prevention.

3)  Note that organisations engage with the key areas of activity for 2025 with a focus on partnerships and communications.

4)  Promotion of the Suicide Prevention Strategy through partnership organisations.

5)  Partners to work in collaboration to reduce and understand attempted suicides.