Initial contact was made with the Nurse Unit Managers from
the 4 units, who then forwarded details of the study to their staff
via Nursing staff were asked to determine their own suitability to
participate inthis study according to the inclusioncriteria andmake
contact with the researchers to register their interest. Interview
times and locations were negotiated via the Nurse Unit Managers
following dissemination of an Explanatory Statement. At the time
of meeting with the potential participants, the research and the
Explanatory Statement were discussed and all questions answered.
Written consent was then gained prior to commencement of the
interviews.