Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
276 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths registered as suicides in each of the past five years and to date in 2006; if she has satisfied herself that every effort is being made to give in-hospital care if necessary to those who request it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26436/06]
View answerAccording to the Central Statistics Office, the number of registered deaths by suicide for each of the years 2001-2005 is as follows:
|
Year |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
Total |
519 |
478 |
497 |
457 |
431 |
The numbers for the first quarter of 2006 are not yet available.
As aspects of the Deputy's question relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
However, as the Deputy may be aware, the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) was established by the Health Service Executive following the publication of the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention "Reach Out" on 8th September 2005. The Office has primary responsibility for implementing the Strategy and will co-ordinate suicide prevention activities across the State, consult widely in relation to the planning of future initiatives and ensure best practice in suicide prevention.
At the end of 2004, 24 A&E Departments had a crisis nurse response to incidents of deliberate self harm (DSH). In recognition that the speedy follow-up at home or in a day/out patient setting can reduce the rate of DSH, there has been further investment in this service through the NOSP in 2005 and 2006 and it is now expected that the service will be extended to all A&E Departments by the end of this year. Most DSH staff work in A&E Departments but receive professional support from the local mental health services. As liaison mental health services develop DSH staff will become part of the multi-disciplinary liaison mental health teams.
Liaison services intervene in A&E departments where the presentation of suicidal behaviour and substance abuse requires expert assessment and management. The main benefits of liaison mental health services are the identification and treatment of mental health problems in the general medical and A&E settings.
