CSO Suicide Mortality Statistics Liaison Group Meeting
Via Zoom
Wednesday January 22nd, 2025, at 2pm
Action Points
Present: Tim Linehan, Niall McTernan, Barry Kestell, Sean O’Connor, Alice Wainwright, Laura Galligan, John Heslin, Dr Cróna Gallagher, John O’Connor, Dr Paul Corcoran
Apologies: Prof Philip Dodd, Prof Ella Arensman, Dr Mary Flannagan, Jackie Hickey, Declan Costello, Suzi Lyons, Aisling O’Reilly
Action Points: Niall McTernan
Welcome/Introductions
- Niall welcomed Dr Gregory Martin to the group and informed attendees that Greg has joined the group on behalf of the HSE, replacing Prof Philip Dodd, who has taken up a new role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Mental Health Policy and Clinical Specialist at the Department of Health. Philip will continue on the group as representative for the Department of Health along with colleagues John Heslin and Barry Kestel.
Action points and matters arising from the meeting held on October 23rd, 2024.
- Tim reviewed the minutes and action points from the previous group meeting held on October 23rd, 2024.
- Paul indicated that there was no further update in relation to data from the National Maternal Death Enquiry. Paul to circulate briefing to group members.
- Crona indicated that this is likely to be underreported as Coroner’s are not always aware of whether the woman has been pregnant or delivered a baby within one year of death (maternal death or late maternal death). Paul queried if this was something that could be discussed with the coroner society.
Action points:
- Paul to share briefing from the National Maternal Death Enquiry.
Presentation of 2024 CSO Suicide Data Release
- Tim and Sean provided an overview of the CSO Suicide Data release with final figures for 2021, highlighting the changes that they have introduced to the release in 2024 compared to previous years, and plans that they have on enhancing future releases.
- Paul queried changes to geographic boundaries in Cork. Tim indicated that geographic boundaries would improve over time and the CSO plan to further explore geographic areas going forward.
- Tim alluded to late registered deaths and indicated that rolling tables will be included on a yearly basis. Crona referred to an average two year wait for inquest, at present.
- Tim stated that the CSO are cautious of small numbers and implement disclosure control when deemed necessary. The CSO are also mindful of harmful methods.
- Tim thanked group members for the feedback provided.
AOB
- Niall provided an update on behalf of Jackie Hickey (GRO).
- GRO currently engaged with HSE to start receiving electronic notification of death data within 5 working days. Timeline for the early notification of deaths to be provided in due course
- Niall informed the group of two upcoming events:
- Launch of HSE NOSP’s best practice toolkit for preventing suicide in public places (February 4th in Dublin Castle)
- Launch of the National Suicide Research Foundation’s Strategic Plan (February 11th in University College Cork)
- Greg indicated that the HSE NOSP- An Garda Síochána Data Sharing Agreement relating to real time Pulse data is progressing and close to completion.
- Greg notified the group of a new national suicide surveillance platform that the HSE plan to establish.
- Tim suggested that the dissemination of minutes is discussed at the next meeting.
- Laura informed that the group that she will be going on maternity leave from March. A representative from the Garda Analysis Service will attend meetings in Laura’s absence.
Action points:
- Discussion related to the dissemination of minutes on the CSO website at next meeting.
Date and venue for next meeting: April 23rd, 2025, at 2pm, via Microsoft teams.
