Self-harm accounts for at least 170000 hospital admissions every year and suicide accounts for more deaths a year than road traffic accidents or any ther illness that occurs among working-age dults (Appleby et al, 2011). Between 2000 and 2012, inpatients accounted for 12% of suicides in the UK (Appleby et al, 2012). The need for appropriately trained staff within secondary care with compassion towards people at risk of self-harm or suicide, and positive attitudes towards prevention interventions is paramount. Equally, as is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care excellence (NICE) (2004), providing care and treatment to this population is emotionally demanding. Not only does it require a high level of communication skill, but staff also require the necessary support; NICE (2004) makes it clear that staff involved with this work require regular clinical supervision so that the emotional impact of providing care to at-risk patients can be understood, discussed and addressed.
展开▼
