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Evaluation of a pilot police-led suicide early alert surveillance strategy in the UK
  1. Grant James McGeechan1,
  2. Catherine Richardson2,
  3. Kevin Weir3,
  4. Lynn Wilson4,
  5. Gillian O’Neill5,
  6. Dorothy Newbury-Birch1
  1. 1 Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
  2. 2 NHS North Kirkless Clinical Commissioning Group, Dewsbury, UK
  3. 3 Durham Constabulary, Durham, UK
  4. 4 Gateshead Council Civic Centre, Gateshead, UK
  5. 5 Durham County Council, Durham, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Grant James McGeechan, Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Constantine Building, Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK; g.mcgeechan{at}tees.ac.uk

Abstract

Introduction Those bereaved by suicide are at increased risk of psychological harm, which can be reduced with the provision of timely support. This paper outlines an evaluation of a pilot police-led suicide strategy, in comparison to a coroner-led suicide strategy looking at the number, and length of time it takes for deaths to be recorded for each strategy. Additionally, the police-led strategy offers timely contact from support services for bereaved individuals. We examined what impact this offer of support had on the capacity of support services.

Methods A mixed methods evaluation compared how long it took for suspected suicides to be recorded using both strategies. The number of referrals received by support services during the pilot strategy were compared with those from previous years. A feedback focus group, and interviews, were held with key stakeholders.

Results The coroner strategy was more consistent at identifying suspected suicides; however, reports were filed quicker by the police. Bereaved individuals were willing to share contact details with police officers and consent for referral to support services which lead to increased referrals. The focus group and interviews revealed that the pilot police strategy needs better integration into routine police practice.

Conclusions This strategy has the potential to deliver a real benefit to those bereaved by suicide; however, there are still aspects which could be improved.

  • Public Health
  • Suicide/Self Harm
  • Mental Health

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Footnotes

  • Contributors CR, LW and KW were involved in the design of the pilot strategy. GJJMG and CR completed the analysis of the data and drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed to the discussions and commented on the manuscript drafts and approved the final version.

  • Funding This evaluation was jointly funded by Public Health England and North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Data sharing statement No additional unpublished data are available for this study.