The National Suicide Prevention Steering Group

Dear Colleague,

THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION STEERING GROUP

Network Rail is about three years into its five year partnership with the Samaritans and British Transport Police for a suicide prevention programme. RMT sits on the National Suicide Prevention Steering Group and has been making contributions on behalf of the membership at regular meetings.

A National Conference for Suicide Prevention will take place at Network Rail’s Westwood Centre on June 5^th 2013 and RMT will be in attendance. A report of the Conference will be circulated shortly afterwards.

A meeting of the Steering Group recently took place and the main points are outlined below:

Samaritans Update

· 237 suicides to period end which is one less than last year.

· Of 14 incidents in the period, 2 were at priority stations. 26% were at stations and 76% on running lines

· Delay minutes down 96,000 on last year

· 2 incidents exceeded 2,000 minutes delay each

· There were 2 reported interventions by Samaritans

Period 1 figures Network Rail

· 21 suicides were recorded, 24 for same period last year

· 18,000 minutes delay

· Is there a shift from stations to open line or is this just in particular locations?

· RSSB to do analysis of last year’s percentages

· Rise in the Anglia region as there are many crossings in the area

· It was asked if some communications work could be done in priority locations, shopping centres & local newspapers etc.

· BTP go into the wider community with local authorities, local police etc

Suicide Prevention Conference:

· Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, will speak and just needs to confirm time

· Robin Gisby Of Network Rail is to open conference

· Helen Waters of Cross Country will be the first keynote speaker

· The BTP, Samaritans and Network Rail will do a joint presentation

· There will be an intervention story from a member of staff

T845 – Improving Suicide Prevention Measures on the Rail Network in Great Britain. RSSB Research project:

· The survey from this project has not generated much response.

There will be a working group set up to design a booklet aimed at transport staff who have been involved with a suicide on the railway. RMT will be part of the group and the booklet will offer advice on how to deal with the aftermath of an incident.

Initiatives Round-up:

· There needs to be a joint agency approach for certain locations to see what can be done. Look at recommendations from incident reports

· 2 Track & Train graduates have been involved with the suicide prevention programme. From October, T&T graduates will be allocated to different routes across the network for suicide prevention

• NR has been approached by the DfT to put some clauses into franchise agreements with regards to suicide prevention activities/mitigations so that TOCs understand that they have an obligation towards the programme

The next meeting will be held on 29^th May and a report will be circulated shortly afterwards.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned members and I would be grateful to receive input from Branches on this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary