General Hospital Services for Deliberate Self-Poisoning: an Expensive Road to Nowhere?

This study was designed to investigate the clinical and economic aspects of deliberate self-poisoning services in four teaching hospitals in Leeds, Leicester, Manchester and Nottingham. The management of the current self harm episode in 456 individuals was investigated. Fewer than half of the patients received specialist psychosocial assessment or follow-up. Assessment was more likely if patients were already in contact with psychiatric services, had a history of preveious overdoses, had presented during working hours, or lived near the hospital. Implications are discussed. (18 refs)