Data sharing to help reduce UK suicide rates

Better recording and sharing of information could help to prevent suicides in England, according to the first annual report on England's cross-government suicide prevention strategy.

Entitled Preventing Suicide in England: One Year On, the report reveals that hospitals will be required to publish annual figures on the number of people who attended accident and emergency for self-harm for the first time.

This data will include information on whether patients received the recommended psychological assessments, while a separate agreement will promote greater sharing of information with health professionals and family or friends within the context of the law.

Official figures show that around half of the 4,500 people who die by suicide each year have a history of self-harm, but psychological assessments for people in this category can help to prevent suicidal behaviour.

Care and support minister Norman Lamb said: "Health professionals can be understandably worried about whether to share information – this will make sure they can be confident listening and talking to families to make sure patients get the right support."

This comes as part of a wider effort by the Department of Health to ensure that mental health issues are given equal priority to physical health within the NHS.