Participant Information 

Study title: Exploring the attitudes of police custody healthcare professionals towards individuals who self-harm in police custody suites across the United Kingdom 

Researcher name: Matthew Peel [p027924c@student.staffs.ac.uk]

Academic supervisor: Marg Bannerman [M.A.Bannerman@staffs.ac.uk]

Programme: MSc Advanced Forensic Practice (custody professional)

Module: Masters Dissertation

Nurse & Paramedics working in Police Custody (full-time, part-time, ad-hoc) are invited to take part in a study exploring the attitude of custody nurses and paramedics towards self-harm.  Whether or not you take part is your choice.  If you do wish to take part now, but change your mind before you complete the questionnaire, your responses will not be recorded.  Because all responses are entirely anonymous, once completed, it is not possible to withdraw your responses.

This participant information sheet will help you decide if you would like to take part.  It sets out why I am undertaking the study, what your participation would involve, what the benefits and risks to you might be, and what would happen after the study ends.  If you have any questions that are not answered within this information sheet, please do not hesitate to contact me using the email address above.

If you agree to take part in this study please follow the link below and follow the on-screen instructions.

www.tinyurl.com/shresearch 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?

The aim of the project is to explore the attitude of nurses and paramedics who work in police custody settings towards individuals who self-harm in police custody.

WHAT WILL MY PARTICIPATION IN THE STUDY INVOLVE?

If you agree to participate, you will be directed to an anonymous online questionnaire about your attitude towards self-harm. It is expected completing the questionnaire will take no longer than 10-15 minutes.  You are only required to complete the questionnaire once and you will not be contacted again.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF THE STUDY?

There are no direct benefits from taking part in this research, other than the benefit of reflecting on your practice and adding to the available research surrounding police custody healthcare.

WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

If you have problems with the online questionnaire please contact the researcher Matthew Peel directly, using either the email or phone number provided.

Because exploring your attitude towards self-harm may be emotive, you may following the questionnaire feel distressed, upset or emotional. Please see Self-Harm & Mental Health Support Agencies

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?

• You have the right to decide to participate, or not, without prejudice.
• Please note, once submitted responses cannot be withdrawn.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE STUDY OR IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

You will not be contacted after the study and there is no follow-up.  Because all responses are entirely anonymous it is not possible for the researcher to identify specific responses.  Therefore, once completed your responses cannot be withdrawn from the study.

HOW WILL THE DATA BE STORED?

All the data is entirely anonymous.  All the anonymous research data (computer files) will be stored electronically on a password-protected memory stick for 10 years and backed-up on the University’s secure cloud storage.  After 10 years the data will be destroyed.  Only the researcher (student) and the academic supervisors will have access to the data, for analysis and supervision.  The data may also be used to prepare a research paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION OR IF I HAVE CONCERNS?

• Student/Researcher: Matthew Peel
  • Email: p027924c@student.staffs.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 07834518390

• Academic supervisor: Marg Bannerman
  • Email: M.A.Bannerman@staffs.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 01785 353852