Prevalence and trends in UK ambulance service staff suicides

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Prevalence and trends in UK ambulance service staff suicides

  • IRAS ID

    202720

  • Contact name

    Fiona Bell

  • Contact email

    fiona.bell@yas.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 6 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether people who work either as a Paramedic, or in other clinical or non-clinical roles in the UK ambulance services (AS) are at higher risk of suicide than people who work in other professions.
    The secondary purpose of the study is to investigate a) factors commonly associated with ambulance staff suicides e.g. particular stressors at work, financial difficulties, substance misuse, use of primary care of psychiatric services and financial difficulties and b) their use of occupational health and other support services. Sources of information will include occupational health and other occupational records and coroners’ inquest records. The incidence of suicide amongst ambulance staff will be estimated and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of cases described. The findings will be used to determine whether current support services are sufficient and appropriate or if there is any scope for enhancement to improve what is available for ambulance service (AS) staff.

  • REC name

    North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/NE/0148

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 May 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion