In 2017, Mersey Care Chief Executive Joe Rafferty was named in the Health Service Journal’s list of the top 100 most influential people in health. During that same year, in partnership with Steve Mallen, Chair, The MindEd Trust, Mr. Rafferty launched the Zero Suicide Alliance, which includes 90 NHS trusts, charities, politicians and suicide survivors. The groundbreaking alliance was announced at the Houses of Parliament, and included government funding and an online training course, “Save A Life.”
Mr. Rafferty was the inspiration behind MP Norman Lamb’s 2015 drive with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to forge a national conversation around Zero Suicide, which included extended coverage in the BBC, Telegraph and Guardian. Mersey Care NHS Trust has been leading Zero Suicide efforts in the United Kingdom since 2013. Their clinical policy document is available online and extensive.
