Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

Open About Suicide - Sharing Information Can Save Lives

THE Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) is marking the build up to this Friday�s World Suicide Prevention Day, on 10 September 2021, by welcoming the Department of Health and Social Care�s (DHSC) recent guidance for frontline staff to help them understand how and when sharing patient information can save lives.

Following a campaign by ZSA founder member Steve Mallen, who lost his 18 year old son, Edward, to suicide in 2015, the DHSC updated their Consensus Statement (2021) that gives better support in understanding how patient information should be shared in potentially life saving situations.

Clinicians, Counsellors and other frontline health and social care staff, who often feel unsure 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 and decision tool which aims to increase confidence and encourages better partnerships with agencies in the best interest of those needing support.

Mr Mallen coomented that:- "I believe my son would still be alive if information about his illness and suicidal ideation had been shared. There are literally thousands of families in a similar position and it's essential we revise this key area of clinical practice within the context of the relevant rules and regulations. Many health professionals, through concerns about privacy, typically default to absolute patient confidentiality even in the face of severe and imminent suicidal risk. Families and carers may then be left in the dark, unable to support their loved ones and deaths are occurring needlessly in consequence."

Working with the DHSC, NHS England and Improvement (NHSEI), Public Health England (PHE) and the medical Royal Colleges, the ZSA has produced the SHARE resource which is specifically designed for all frontline health and social care staff.

Together with the DHSC Consensus Statement, the SHARE resource aims to address the difficult balance between respecting patient confidentiality and reducing suicide risk, by clarifying the rules and regulations regarding consent and confidentiality and outlining best practice for clinicians who are frequently faced with complex and challenging decisions.

Mr Mallen added Mr Mallen:- "We've made great progress in destroying the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide in recent years and, as a society, we're now much more open about discussing these difficult topics. We now need to give clinicians the confidence to share information where appropriate and engage with families and carers who can have a vital role to play in patient care and in averting serious incidents and tragedy. 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. In the wake of serious incidents and tragedies, the inability to share information is all too often identified as a key factor in service failure. Too often the phrase:- 'if only we'd known,' reverberates through the system following terrible and avoidable events. We hope these new resources will bring about a change in standard practice and culture within all parts of the health system."

Joe Rafferty, chairman of the ZSA, said:- "As we understand more about the impact of the Covid19 Pandemic on the mental health of our population, now is the time to act. We understand this is a complex and sensitive issue, but each year lives that may be saved are being lost to suicide and these valuable resources aim to support clinicians in their decision making to improve safety and, above all, help prevent suicides across the country."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:- "Every suicide is a tragedy and the impact on families and communities can be devastating. Frontline staff can face difficult decisions balancing patient confidentiality with sharing information when they believe an individual may be at risk of suicide. This refreshed guidance will support clinicians when making these choices. We have worked closely with the Zero Suicide Alliance and other partners, including Royal Colleges, to ensure this guidance supports clinicians to help those in crisis and ultimately save lives."

Over � of adults in the North West more financially vulnerable as a result of the Pandemic

THE Royal London launches Changemakers campaign and announces:- 'The Growing Club CIC' based in Lancashire, as 1 of the social enterprises, it will fund to help build financial resilience.

The Pandemic has caused a dramatic rise in financial vulnerability in the North West. 27% of those in the region now feel more financially vulnerable than they did in March 2020, according to new research from mutual insurer Royal London.

Of those 36% attributed this to a reduced income and 30% had a lack of savings to fall back on. Other reasons included irregular employment 17%. When thinking of the future and being able to respond financially to a change in life circumstances, just 14% of people in the North West say they feel very financially resilient.

To help improve financial resilience in the UK and Ireland, Royal London has announced The Growing Club CIC as 1 of its 10 Changemakers. The Growing Club CIC is based in Lancashire and aims to bridge the gap in skills training and business education for women, to create a safe space to enable all women to re-connect with their skills and dreams.

Royal London's Changemakers programme is committing �1.5 million over 3 years  to support the 10 social enterprises that have all created bold and innovative ideas to improve resilience and protect against life shocks. Royal London worked with the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) to identify the 10 Changemakers.

Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London, said:- "We know that the pandemic has affected millions of people's financial resilience and that's why investing in these inspiring Changemakers is so important. Each social enterprise has either direct lived experience, or experience by association, of the problem they're trying to solve, and this comes with the passion to make a difference. We believe that these social enterprises can create real change and innovation is at the heart of it. We are delighted to support people who are looking at new ways of improving financial resilience."

Jane Binnion, Founder and Director of The Growing Club CIC, said:- "I formed The Growing Club after my experiences trying to grow my business following a career change. There was a clear lack of support and understanding of the issues faced by women juggling businesses and life commitments such as young children. That's why we aim to support local economic growth and community well being by bridging the gap in skills training and business education for women, with our pre-start up, start up and business growth programmes specifically for women. With only 12% of women in the UK feeling financially prepared to deal with a life change, I'm delighted to be involved in Changemakers to help women become financially independent.�

► 27% of those in the North West more financially vulnerable as a result of the Covid19 Pandemic.

► 36% attributed the increase in financial vulnerability to lack of income and 30% had a lack of savings to fall back on in the Pandemic.

► To improve financial resilience in the North West, Royal London has launched its Changemakers programme and will be partnering with The Growing Club CIC.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 38,975 cases and the total number now stand at:- 7,094,592 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 191 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 133,674, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 156,888.

In England, there are a total of:- 6,102,850 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 972,916 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follow:-