Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 March 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what definition of self-harm is used by NHS Direct; how many calls NHS Direct received in the last year for which figures are available relating to self-harm; what advice is given by NHS Direct to callers deemed to be self-harming; and whether NHS Direct holds a database of local self-help groups to provide to callers.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what definition of self-harm is used by NHS Direct; how many calls NHS Direct received in the last year for which figures are available relating to self-harm; what advice is given by NHS Direct to callers deemed to be self-harming; and whether NHS Direct holds a database of local self-help groups to provide to callers. [221577] Ms Rosie Winterton: NHS Direct classifies as self- harm all calls relating to self-poisoning or injury, irrespective of the purpose of the act. NHS Direct is unable to report specifically on the number of call it handles relating to self-harm, as these will categorised under a number of presenting symptoms. All staff receive training in the handling of calls relating to self-harm against an agreed set of principles. NHS Direct staff answering calls have access to a detailed database of local and national self help groups.

Secondary information