Rise in serious incidents mental health such as suicides

More than 8,000 serious incidents were reported by mental health trusts in England last year, representing an increase of more than a third over a two-year period.

The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the Liberal Democrats, include a rise in unexpected deaths and suicides.

The NHS logs events as "serious incidents" when the consequences for patients and staff are so significant they warrant investigations.

Hugh Pym reports