Commission launches inquiry into mental health deaths

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched an inquiry into the non-natural deaths of adults with mental health conditions who die while being detained by the state.

The inquiry will look at suicide, homicide, unknown and accidental deaths of people in psychiatric hospitals, prison and police custody in England and Wales, to identify what can be done to help prevent more tragedies.

According to official figures 215 people died in prison last year – the highest number since records began. Of these 74 were suicides. There were 98 non-natural deaths of people detained in psychiatric hospitals and almost half of those who died in police custody in 2012/13 had mental health conditions.

The Commission has unique, statutory powers under the Equality Act 2006 to conduct inquiries into anything relating to its equality and human rights duties. This inquiry will examine how well hospitals, prisons and the police service comply with their obligations under the Human Rights Act, which obliges states to protect everyone’s right to life.

The inquiry will look at existing evidence from 2010 to 2013 across the three sectors, to pinpoint trends and systemic issues that might be resulting in people losing their lives. It will also consider whether ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation and other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 have a bearing on non-natural deaths.

The Commission will work closely with HM Inspectorates of Prisons and Constabulary, the Care Quality Commission and other relevant organisations. It will accept evidence within the scope of the inquiry’s Terms of Reference and engage with people working in the three sectors to find out their views on the protection of detained adults with mental health conditions.

A report on the findings will be published in spring 2015, with recommendations for action needed by relevant bodies.

Equality and Human Rights Commission CEO, Mark Hammond (pictured) said:”The right to life is the most fundamental right we all share. Despite efforts by the various authorities to prevent deaths of people in psychiatric hospitals, prisons and police custody, every year there are preventable deaths. We want to work with all the organisations involved to make sure the lessons of previous tragedies are indeed being learnt.”

“The protections of equality law and human rights are for everyone and the Commission’s remit gives us powers to bring together different organisations to try and ensure we all do everything possible to prevent future deaths.”

For more, visit: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/inquiry-non-natural-deaths-detention-adults-mental-health-conditions