Health Service Guidance (HSG)

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Our ref: DE00000419395
9 July 2009

Dear Ms Speers,

Thank you for your email of 6 June about a range of issues on suicide
prevention policy, including a request for a specific document. We are
responding to this part of your request under the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA). I apologise for the delay in responding.
The revision to the section of HSG(94)27 on adverse event inquiries aimed
to give additional guidance on the circumstances in which an independent
investigation might be appropriate and also on the processes for
establishing such an investigation. HSG (94)27 confirms:
"Where the SHA determines that an adverse event warrants independent
investigation, for example if there is concern that an event may represent
significant systemic service failure, such as a cluster of suicides."
I can confirm that HSG (94)27 is in the public domain, and that it is on
the DH website, along with the amendment document:
[1]http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsands...
Further information regarding inquiries after homicides or suicides is
also available form the National Patient Safety Agency website:
[2]http://www.npsa.nhs.uk
This information is given in accordance with S21 of FOIA, which enables us
to refer requestors directly to information which is reasonably accessible
to them by other means.
Turning to your enquiry about how many times since the HSG (94)27
amendment, has #3 access criteria on 'suicide clusters' as being possible
indicators of significant system failure" been used, - the department does
not routinely collect copies of independent investigation reports or
information on the commissioning of such reports. We therefore do not
hold data on how many reports have been commissioned into clusters of
suicide.
We understand the rest of your enquiry to fall outside the terms of FOIA,
in that it cannot be answered from recorded information. However, given
that the issues which you raise here have been fully covered by the
Department in previous correspondence, I can confirm that we can add
nothing to the information which has been previously given.
I am sorry to be unable to be more helpful. If you are dissatisfied with
the handling of the FOI aspects of your request, you have the right to ask
for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted
within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original
letter and should be addressed to:

Head of the Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health
Room 317
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS

Email: [3][email address]
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for a decision.
Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the
complaints procedure provided by the Department. The ICO can be contacted
at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Yours sincerely,

Colin McDonald
FOI Casework Advisor
Department of Health

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References

Visible links
1. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsands...
2. http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/
3. mailto:[email address]

Dear Ms Speers

Please find attached the Department of Health's response to your request
for an Internal review

Yours sincerely

Tony Doole
Senior Casework Manager - Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information Team
Ministerial Business & Parliamentary Accountability
Direct Line: 020 7210 5028
GTN Tel: 7210 5028
Email: [email address]
Address: Department of Health | Room 317 Richmond House | 79 Whitehall |
London SW1A 2NS

(See attached file: Dee Speers 401851IR Final 20.08.09.pdf)

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