Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of suicide prevention training provided to ambulance staff.

Looking after the mental health of hard-working NHS staff is essential, and particularly so for ambulance staff as responders to emergency incidents. Ambulance Trusts and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives have worked closely with NHS England to ensure there is a good range of health and wellbeing support available for staff. This includes an ambulance sector specific suicide prevention pathway to provide immediate support 24/7 for staff experiencing suicidal ideation. At a national level, ambulance staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.

We have also announced in the 10-Year Health Plan that we will roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to provide a high-quality occupational health service for all NHS staff, including support for mental health issues and back conditions, with both being significant causes of long-term sickness absence.