Excessive use of psychiatric services by suicidal patients.

The use of psychiatric services by patients with a suicidal history was examined to see if they placed a greater long-term burden on these services than other types of patient. Suicidal patients spent significantly more days in hospital and made more outpatient attendances; suicide attemptors in particular not only needed more emergency consultations but also spent more days in hospital. A more economical yet more effective treatment policy for the suicidal patient is needed.