UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery Annual Report 2019

Healthcare Experience, Engagement and Reform

Dr Aine Horgan and team of researchers in the School received funding from the Health Service Executive, Mental Health Division for “ A review of evidence, current practices and HSE staff views in relation to the awareness and assessment of and response to, the risk of suicide and self-harm in the health services ”

The team: Dr Aine Horgan, Dr Elaine Meehan., Mr John Goodwin, Dr Christina Dillon, Professor Josephine Hegarty, Dr Caroline Kilty ,Ms Sinead Heffernan, Ms Sonya Greaney, Dr Mohammad Saab, Dr Margaret Murphy, Dr Irene Hartigan, Ms Selena O’Connell, Ms Maidy O’Brien, Mr Derek Chambers, Ms Una Twomey.

Two systematic literature reviews were conducted. The first systematic review investigated international research and practices related to staff awareness or knowledge of suicide and self-harm risk in healthcare settings. The second systematic review investigated international research and best practice guidance documents on assessment and response to suicide and self-harm risk in healthcare settings. In addition, date were collected nationally from HSE staff members (allied health and social care staff, administrative and management staff, nurses, midwives, medical staff, dental staff, general support staff and patient and client care staff) on their views related to awareness, assessment and responses to suicide and self- harm risk across the Irish health service. Staff members were consulted in two ways; first, through a series of five World Cafés across the country; and second, through a written consultation process. A total of 143 HSE staff members participated in the 5 World Café, while 10 staff members submitted written consultations. The project started in May 2019 and was completed in December 2019 and will inform, and be published alongside, guidelines for self-harm awareness, assessment and response across the Irish health services.

HIGHLIGHTS

Findings indicated that: Internationally, levels of awareness of suicide and self-harm among staff working in healthcare settings are low-to-average, and even among frontline staff, levels of awareness and knowledge are often sub-optimal From the consultations with HSE staff, it was apparent that levels of awareness and knowledge were dependent on a person’s role, with many participants, particularly those working outside of the mental health services, reporting uncertainty and fear about responding to a person at risk of self-harm or suicide

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