A multidisciplinary service to manage self-poisoning is described. All patients (1987-1995) with poisoning or envenomation presenting to the Hunter Area Toxicology Service in New South Wales were studied for the average length of stay compared with national & other New South Wales hospitals & for mortality data. Patients in the Hunter Area Toxicology Service had a shorter average length of stay & showed no greater all-cause suicide mortality. Features & advantages of the service are discussed.