- Suicidal Islander talked out of it by Jersey doctor
- Dr Kirstie Ross has been given award by Jersey police
- How to reduce Jersey’s suicide rate: See below
A DOCTOR working in the Hospital’s A&E department has been honoured after she helped save the life of an Islander who was threatening to commit suicide.
Dr Kirstie Ross said she was proud to receive the highest level of award that can be bestowed by the States of Jersey Police following her role in preventing a suicide attempt last year.
When a member of the public rang up to say they were about to take their own life, Dr Ross spoke to the caller while at the same time liaising with police officers. This meant that officers were able to intervene at the right time, preventing the person from harming themselves. No further details about the incident have been released.
Dr Ross, an associate specialist who has worked at the Hospital since December 2012, has now been presented with the chief officer’s commendation. The award recognises personal courage, initiative and commitment which goes above and beyond what normally would be expected from a police officer or civilian.
Dr Ross said: ‘It is a great honour to accept this award. There wasn’t a chance to think about the significance of what was happening at the time, and really I was just doing my job, but when you’ve worked together with another agency and this teamwork has made the difference, then it’s something I’m proud of.’
She received the award alongside PC David Bisson, who worked with her as the incident unfolded.
Mike Bowron, chief officer of the States Police, said: ‘This award recognises the fast thinking and decisive action of Dr Ross which undoubtedly saved a life.
‘It is highly appropriate that she is commended for the action she took in what was clearly a dynamic and traumatic situation.’
The award was part of a wider presentation in which nine other certificates were presented to States Police officers.
Three certificates of commendation and six certificates of appreciation were given to officers for a range of cases, including helping to crack a worldwide paedophile ring as well as a number of serious investigations including rape and murder.
Mr Bowron said: ‘I am immensely proud of the hard work and professionalism of my officers.
‘I know that every one of them sees this as just part of their job, but is important to take the time to thank them and to recognise their incredible work in difficult and traumatic situations.’
Certificates of commendation were presented to Sergeant Tommy Hayden and PC Daniel Grigoras.
Certificates of appreciation were given to Detective Constables Pat Forde, Jeremy Percival and Simon Le Fevre and PCs Josef Farrington and Andy du Feu.
As well as a certificate of commendation, PC Bisson received a certificate of appreciation for his work in helping a driver who had been seriously injured in a car crash.
SUICIDE rates in the Island could be cut if a prevention scheme which is already being used in the UK and America was rolled out in Jersey, according to the head of a mental health charity.
James Le Feuvre, executive director of Mind Jersey, believes that the Health Department should consider adopting an anti-suicide campaign strategy similar to ones already in place in Detroit and Liverpool.
His comments come following Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s callsfor the NHS to have a fundamental overhaul of how it works to prevent suicides.
Mr Clegg’s approach is based on a successful scheme in Detroit, where the suicide rate among patients in the initiative fell by 75 per cent within four years.
Inspired by the Detroit scheme, Merseycare NHS Trust in Liverpool has also embarked on a similar strategy, which Mr Le Feuvre believes could also be beneficial to Jersey.
According to the 2014 Health Profile for Jersey, the Island has a comparable suicide rate to that of the UK with 10.4 per 100,000 Islanders.
Mr Le Feuvre said: ‘It is an interesting notion what they have done in Detroit and what they are finding in Liverpool.
‘A question should be asked of the statutory services – are they going to think about bringing this in in Jersey? The evidence is pretty persuasive and Liverpool says it does not require additional investment.’
The Liverpool scheme includes creating a team that is available 24 hours a day to rapidly assess patients having suicidal thoughts, improving the care of people who present with self-harm injuries at accident and emergency units through offering on-the-spot therapies and following up with them when they leave hospital as well as improving data collection on patients.
Mr Le Feuvre added: ‘Early intervention is really important. It’s about finding people and identifying if they are at risk. It’s about training staff including staff in the community as this is how things will get picked up.’
However, he did acknowledge that there was a flaw in the scheme as many suicides were carried out by people unknown to the services and so they would not be able to access the help they needed.
