RCN Wales comments on National Confidential Inquiry report

Published: 31 July 2012

RCN in Wales comments on National Confidential Inquiry annual report

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Wales responded to the National Confidential Inquiry into Homicide and Suicide by People with Mental Illness annual report. The report found that suicide rates among people on mental health wards have continued to fall, though it raised concerns about suicides among people treated at home.

Peter Meredith-Smith, Associate Director (Employment Relations) and Mental Health Lead for RCN Wales said:

"The continuing decline in the number of people committing suicide in Wales is very good news indeed. Particularly pleasing is the sustained decrease in the number of patients committing suicide whilst being cared for in our in-patient units. This indicates the excellent care that mental health nurses are providing to some of the most vulnerable citizens in Wales. Safe mental health care is dependent on mental health units having adequate staffing levels. Service managers need to be mindful of this if they are considering cutting staffing establishments in order to deliver cost savings. We need to carefully reflect on the evidence that suggests that the number of people committing suicide whilst being cared for in the community appears to be on the increase. The ongoing shift in mental healthcare from in-patient services to community settings requires proper investment if we are to ensure that mental healthcare in the community is safe and therapeutic. Safe community mental healthcare cannot be delivered on the cheap. "

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Notes for Editors

For further information, please contact the RCN Wales Media Office on 029 20 680732, or email Jessica.palmer@rcn.org.uk

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nursing staff and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.