Health care investigations into suicide are reviewed

Health care investigations into suicide are reviewed

Published: Less than 40 minutes ago

full-screen The National Board of Health and Welfare will review investigations of care injuries related to suicide and suicide attempts. Stock Photography. Photo: Fredrik Persson / TT

The National Board of Health and Welfare is commissioned by the government to review the health care investigations concerning suicide and suicide attempts, after the reports have fallen sharply.

People at risk of taking their own lives occur in all parts of care, but the number of reports of care injuries related to suicide has decreased sharply over time.

The National Board of Health and Welfare is therefore commissioned by the government to analyze whether investigations of care injuries related to suicide and suicide attempts are carried out with good quality, and whether they are carried out in accordance with the Patient Safety Act.

The assignment also includes strengthening the health service’s work to investigate suicide and suicide attempts.

According to current regulations, all suicides or suicide attempts must be reported if there is reason to believe that they could have been avoided if measures had been taken during the patient’s contact with care.

Every year, approximately 1,200 people die by suicide in Sweden.

“By identifying, remedying and following up risks and shortcomings in the care activities, we can strengthen the preventive work,” says Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) in a press release.

The assignment must be finalized on 30 November 2026. An interim report must be submitted no later than 30 April 2023.

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