Debates between Liz Twist and Kevin Hollinrake during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Suicide Risk Assessment Tools in the NHS

Debate between Liz Twist and Kevin Hollinrake
Wednesday 4th September 2019

(5 years, 3 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Kevin Hollinrake Portrait Kevin Hollinrake
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. That is one key component of three: training nurses; using a proper, validated tool; and taking into account the past behaviour of the individual and the context of the situation. None of those three things was in place for Andrew. As a consequence, 48 hours after being admitted to hospital in an ambulance, Andrew took his own life.

Liz Twist Portrait Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)
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Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Kevin Hollinrake Portrait Kevin Hollinrake
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I am happy to give way to the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on suicide and self-harm prevention.

Liz Twist Portrait Liz Twist
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The hon. Gentleman is raising a very serious issue. I am grateful to Samaritans for a briefing on it ahead of this debate. It is absolutely clear that these risk assessment tools are not in themselves complete. They must be supported by consideration of the context, including previous history, and by a professional assessment of what is happening. Does he agree that it is absolutely essential that all trusts ensure that that happens?

Kevin Hollinrake Portrait Kevin Hollinrake
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I entirely agree with the hon. Lady. I know that the Bellerby family would very much like to meet the Minister here today—the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Ms Dorries)—to see what can be done to make sure these situations do not happen again, and I think they would be very pleased to meet the hon. Lady, too, because I know that she does tremendous work in the all-party parliamentary group.