Consensus statement for information sharing and suicide prevention
Families bereaved by suicide have shared concerns about their experiences with services, particularly regarding confidentiality. They noted that practitioners often seem reluctant to accept information from families and friends or to share information about a person’s suicide risk.
In response, the Department of Health, in consultation with other organizations, developed a Consensus Statement in 2014 to promote better information sharing. This statement was updated and republished in 2021 to reflect current legal requirements, including the implementation of UK GDPR.
To support the implementation of the updated Consensus Statement, the Department of Health and Social Care commissioned the Zero Suicide Alliance to create guidance for frontline staff. This guidance provides practical advice on using the Consensus Statement and engaging with patients when discussing confidentiality and consent to share information.
