Provision and evaluation of a suicide prevention and management programme by frontline nurses in Hong Kong.

1. An education programme to enhance the knowledge, attitudes and competence of nurses in patient suicide prevention in general hospitals was evaluated. There were no significant differences between the study and control groups for any of the outcome measures. 2. Nursing manpower, practical guidelines, interdisciplinary collaboration and physical structure in the ward, which can prevent nurses from carrying out their roles and responsibilities, need to be addressed. 3. Administrators have to bring about changes in nurses’ existing knowledge, skills, and attitudes. . A continuous cycle of education is needed for new skills and knowledge to be internalised. Ongoing evaluation of the programme could facilitate improvements.