The assessment of a "nurse led" deliberate selfharm service.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of a nurse led deliberate selfharm assessment service.


METHODS
Nine month retrospective survey and comparison with previous system.


METHODS
Stobhill General Hospital, North Glasgow.


METHODS
Two hundred and eighty three Medical inpatients referred following deliberate selfharm, with completed data on 272 cases.


RESULTS
The service significantly reduced admissions to psychiatric inpatient care from 24% to 7%. A dedicated nurse led service, has led to consistency in parasuicide assessments, reduced stigma and negativity towards DSH patients, led to better joint working between Stobhill General Hospital and Psychiatric services and reduced inappropriate psychiatric outpatient referrals.


CONCLUSIONS
A dedicated nurse led DSH assessment service benefits patients and reduces psychiatric hospital admissions. A member of the psychiatric staff working on a daily basis within the general medical wards enhances joint working, ensures smoother communication between helping agencies and increases treatment options.
Russell
J
J
Stobhill Hospital, Balornock Rd, Glasgow.
Mitchell
J R
JR
D006302:Health Services Research; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013222:State Medicine