Nurses train to aid suicidal patients

OVER three-quarters of people who attempt suicide take overdoses and most use drugs regularly found in any home, a study has found.

Nurses in the south-east, where over 1,100 people harmed themselves in 2002, are being given specialist training to help them deal with patients who are hospitalised, having attempted to take their own life.

The South Eastern Health Board has appointed a project co-ordinator for a new nursing project in the area. Based in the Nursing and Midwifery Planning & Development Unit at Waterford Regional Hospital, the project will focus on nursing assessment of self-harm.

Data released by the board yesterday shows that, of the 1,114 attempted suicides treated in the A&E departments in the region, the most common method was overdose, which accounted for over three-quarters (76.2%) of all cases.

Paracetamol was the most common pain-relieving drug taken being involved in almost a third (31.4%) of cases. Of the 1,114 cases reported, 55 people died. The Regional Suicide Resource Office Annual report 2002 published yesterday shows that this compares with 61 in the previous year.

The male rate remains high in comparison to the female rate.

It is hoped that the 12-month project for nurses at Waterford Regional Hospital, which is funded by the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery, will help reduce suicide rates.

“The overall aim is to improve the efficiency & quality of nursing services offered to persons who present with deliberate self-harm in A&E Departments,” a board spokesperson said.

The National Parasuicide registry (2002) identified 1,114 cases of self-harm in the SEHB area. Parasuicide is a term describing attempted suicide/deliberate self-harm/deliberate self-poisoning.

The health board project includes using new psychosocial assessment tools. Nurses will also go on courses which will help them care for and assess parasuicidal patients.