Publish date: 1 September 2021
The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) welcomed the recent Department of Health and Social Care publication of guidance for frontline staff to support them in understanding how and when they should share information about patients where this may help prevent suicide and therefore save lives.
The Consensus Statement (2021) underlines the potentially lifesaving importance of appropriate sharing of information and keeping accurate records so that people in crisis can draw on help and support when they need it most. Clinicians, counsellors and other frontline health and social care staff, who often feel unsure as to when they are able to inform relatives and loved ones about a patient’s suicidal thoughts, will now also have access to the ZSA SHARE guide here. This is a decision tool which aims to increase confidence and encourages better partnerships with agencies in the best interest of those needing support.
The Consensus Statement recognises that, within the confines of the law, sharing information is almost always in the best interests of both service users and those who love and care for them, especially in the face of imminent risk to life. We hope these new resources will bring about a change in standard practice and culture within all parts of the health system.
The Consensus Statement and new SHARE resource are referenced and discussed in the Trust mandatory eRisk training.
If you have any questions about the resource please contact: Claire