‘The Health of the Nation’, suicide and the general hospital doctor

Abstract

Records were obtained of all suicide and open verdicts in York (n=127) between 1990–1994 inclusive. Those with no past or current contact with psychiatric services were identified (n=67). The extent and nature of this group's general (i.e. non-psychiatric) hospital contact in the months prior to death was established. Thirteen per cent (9/67) of these received general hospital input in the month before death with eight out of the nine aged over 65. Five of the 67 suicides showed evidence of depression. General hospital practitioners are in a position to make a small but important contribution in reducing the suicide rate.