Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
727. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding proposed suicide awareness training, which was to be provided to general practitioners; the number of general practitioners who have received this training to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30423/15]
View answerGeneral Practice has long been identified as the most frequent first point of contact for people with suicidal thoughts, and international evidence highlights GP training in depression and the management of suicidal behaviour as critical to reducing suicide rates. In 2011, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) partnered in the development of a skills-based training programme in suicide prevention for general practitioners.
As at September 2015 some 2,400 General Practitioners and 618 Practice Nurses have access to this online learning module and 500 resource packs have been distributed.
