Mental health nurse turnover linked to suicide rate

Mental health services with higher levels of staff turnover have higher patient suicide rates, according to UK researchers.

The study found suicide rates were higher in mental health trusts with the highest levels of staff turnover, especially for nursing, suggesting the importance of organisational factors.

“A workforce that is constantly changing is likely to affect the continuity of care and this could compromise safety,” said Professor Nav Kapur, lead author and head of suicide research at the Centre for Suicide Prevention at Manchester University.

Full story in The Nursing Times 26 April 2016