Oxford Monitoring System Patient Information Leaflet

The Oxford Monitoring System for Self-Harm

John Radcliffe Hospital and University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford

This project is sponsored by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and we also have support from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Information is being collected in this hospital about patients who have self-harmed.  We obtain information from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust for the Oxford Monitoring System for Self-Harm.

 We also find out (by sharing data with NHS England) when patients who have previously self-harmed die by suicide or other causes. This allows us to look at risk factors for suicide and other causes of death.

We retain information (with support from the Secretary of State so that we can check our information and obtain information about deaths from NHS England.

This leaflet provides more information on what is meant by self-harm, why the data are being recorded and how they will be used.

Information on all individuals coming to the Emergency Department after self-harm is recorded in a way that ensures patient confidentiality. We do not apply the National Data Opt Out so that we can get accurate information about self-harm on all individuals who may be affected. The National Data Opt Out is where an individual has requested that their confidential information is not used beyond their own care and treatment.

However, you can opt-out of this study if you wish (details on back page).  You can find out more from our website at: www.psych.ox.ac.uk/research/csr/research-projects-1/the-oxford-monitoring-system-for-self-harm

What is Self-harm?

• it is a non-fatal act
• it is done intentionally
• it includes both overdoses (self-poisoning) and self-injury (e.g. cutting)
• it includes suicide attempts.

The aims of the Monitoring System are 

• to find out how many people come to hospital after harming themselves
• to monitor trends in self-harm over time
• to help us understand about people who self-harm, so that we will know more about how to help and how to provide them with better care.
• to study the outcomes of people who come to the hospital when they have self-harmed.

The Oxford Monitoring System for self-harm:

• began in 1976
• is an integral part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England
• is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care
• is the lead centre for the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England
• has provided a wide range of information on self-harm that has influenced local and national policies.

 Helpful contacts 

We do not provide a treatment service or advice for those in crisis. lf you are in crisis or feeling suicidal we urge you to seek help from your GP or through a helpline service. 

National 

Samaritans:   116 123            www.samaritans.org 

Childline:       0800 1111         www.childline.org 

MIND:          0300 123 3393   www.mind.org.uk 

Local 

Oxford Mental Health Forum:          www.oxfordmhf.org.uk 

Drug and Alcohol Service:              01865 403210 

CRUSE (bereavement counselling): 01865 245398 

Oxford Lesbian and Gay Helpline:   01865 726893 

lf you would like more information about the Monitoring System, or would like to opt out of the study, you can look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact: 

Debbie Casey 

University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry 

Warneford Hospital 

Headington, Oxford 

OX3 7JX 

Tel: 01865 613195 

Email: csr@psych.ox.ac.uk