Reducing the Pressure on Mental Health Team by Improving Post-Discharge Follow-Up of Self-Harm or Suicidal Patients in Primary Care

[摘要] Aims Northern Ireland has had the highest suicide and self-harm rate in the UK since 2012 according to National Statistics Office with 12.5 deaths per 100,000 population compared to 10.5 in the rest of the country. Evidence shows that the risk of suicide hugely increases following self-harm, and the greatest risk is immediately after the self-harm episode. Better access to health care, especially to primary care, in this period, can actively reduce the risk to this vulnerable patient group. Patients assessed for self-harm in the emergency department are often followed up by the mental health/crisis team. Due to lack of resources and staff shortages this is often not possible in a timely fashion. NICE suggests that patients should be offered a follow-up appointment in primary care within 48 hours of discharge. We aimed to ensure 70% of patients discharged from secondary care following an episode of suicidal ideation or self-harm are contacted proactively by mental health practitioner (MHP) or GP within 48 hours of communication from secondary care.

[学科分类] 计算机科学（综合）