A SOCIAL networking site run by Cumbrian people with personality disorders has won an award for its work to promote patient safety.

The website, www.itc4u.org, picked up a BT E-health Insider Award at a ceremony in London after its work resulted in huge reductions in suicide attempts and hospital admissions.

The site was set up in 2005 by the psychotherapy department at Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and is led by service users with personality disorders and related complex mental health problems. Those behind the venture believe its work with the community has led to a 69 per cent drop in suicide attempts and a 48 per cent fall in self-harm incidents. The number of hospital admissions also dipped, along with contact with the police.

Dr Mike Rigby, a consultant psychiatrist in psychotherapy in Cumbria, said he was “absolutely delighted” with the award.

"What we have done is to transfer the culture of our therapeutic community to a dedicated social networking site so that the work can continue beyond the two days each week when we meet face to face.

“This required a lot of thought about boundaries and how the system could be kept safe. It solves many of the difficulties of offering an intensive treatment programme across a large rural area and is also highly cost-effective.

“The results in terms of improved outcomes for service users and decreased use of other services speak for themselves."