2023

Action Planned (AI summary) The National Crime Agency (NCA) is engaging with Ofcom to combat illegal suicide content online under the Online Safety Act. It also mentions the HMG Drugs Strategy, the Suicide Prevention Strategy and the Criminal Justice Bill, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care's work with Samaritans on the delivery of their online excellence programme. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology outlines how the Online Safety Act will require tech companies to take responsibility for user safety and remove illegal content, including suicide and self-harm content. It details the duties of user-to-user services and search services, as well as enforcement powers for Ofcom. The Department of Health and Social Care is reviewing actions to reduce harm from suicide-related publications and collaborating with government departments, charities, and experts. They lead a cross-sector working group and support the Samaritan’s Online Excellence Programme.

Action Planned (AI summary) NHS England developed the TB Action Plan for England, 2021-2026 and commissioned a GIRFT review of TB service provision. They also supported professional awareness resources, a TB eLearning resource, and issued a TB service specification. The UKHSA co-developed and co-owns the National TB Action Plan with NHS England. It has developed and delivered a series of webinars on TB available to healthcare professionals, and contributed to the RCN competency framework for TB nurses. NICE will share the report with their guideline surveillance team to check for new evidence on TB contact tracing. They also plan to discuss the report with the UK Health Security Agency.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Trust is working with other acute NHS Trusts within Surrey as part of the Surrey Heartlands Mind & Body Programme. A mental health skills module for nurses working at Frimley began last year, and there is space for 30 students for the next cohort starting in March 2024. Frimley Health has updated Emergency Department Triage processes, introduced a Mental Health Assessment form, and developed a Mental Health Strategy Group. They also hold monthly meetings with Psychiatric Liaison services and Surrey Police to discuss practical points and evolving issues.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care mentioned plans to improve A&E waiting times, reduce ambulance response times, expand mental health services through NHS111, and invest in mental health infrastructure. They are also deploying mental health professionals in 999 call centers and clinical assessment services.

Action Planned (AI summary) Cambridgeshire County Council will implement a new highways management system for single source records. The Green Infrastructure Team will proactively manage areas of known risk and identify similar locations across the county’s road network.

Action Planned (AI summary) Following an inter-agency review, the trust is implementing actions including refresher training, improving the ACCT procedure, updating risk assessment documentation, and reviewing procedures for transferring prisoners to establishments with hospital wings. Various completion timescales are provided, ranging to September 2024. The trust states that the coroner's concerns have informed the development of a Health in Justice Suicide Prevention Plan, including a multi-agency Suicide Prevention Forum, and will share the results of an inter-agency review with staff and partners. Completion is expected by September 2024. HMPPS will present an operational briefing to staff on responsibility for ACCT checks. They have updated Case Co-ordinator processes, and are sharing QA with managers, and meeting with partner agencies to relay responsibilities.

Action Planned (AI summary) Amazon has globally restricted the sale of high concentration sodium nitrite to Amazon Business customers since October 2022 and prohibits the sale of poisons as defined under Schedule 1A of the UK Poisons Act 1972. The NPCC Suicide Prevention Steering Group has disseminated briefing materials to all NPCC force and regional suicide prevention leads regarding the emerging trend of Sodium Nitrate and Nitrite use in suicides. They have also supported the National Crime Agency's criminal investigation into the supply of Sodium Nitrite. Ofcom is implementing the Online Safety Act 2023, developing codes of practice to address illegal content and protect children, and will take enforcement action against non-compliant services, including financial penalties and business disruption measures. Google Search prevents predictions for queries relating to methods of suicide and provides prominent signposting to authoritative information and support when users search for suicide-related terms, and delists content that directly facilitates activities that could cause immediate harm. DSIT outlines how the Online Safety Act will force companies to take more accountability for the safety of their users, including those who use VPNs to bypass protections, and details Ofcom's enforcement powers for non-compliant services. DHSC leads a cross-government group to tackle emerging methods of suicide, including sodium nitrite, reducing public access, and working with retailers to ensure labeling compliance for products like curing salt.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care highlights existing funding and initiatives to support local authorities in shaping care markets, including the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund (CASSH) and the Affordable Homes Programme. They are consulting on a new duty for local authorities to complete strategic plans for supported housing and will set national standards for commissioners, as well as investing in a pilot training programme for senior local authority commissioners.