What does a poisons centre do?
A poisons centre provides an emergency poisons information service. It may also provide an analytical toxicology service and a clinical service. In addition the poisons centre may play an important role in developing contingency plans for, and responding to, chemical disasters, and may be involved in monitoring the adverse effects of drugs, and in handling problems of substance abuse. It may also be involved in research, education and training. Poisons Information Service The poisons information service is concerned with the risk assessment, diagnosis, management and prevention of exposure to any substance, by any route, in patients of any age, and arising from any circumstance, be it accidental, intentional, occupational etc. In addition the poisons centre can provide general information about substances, their properties and toxicity. All poisons centres deal with enquiries by telephone, most will also answer written enquiries, and some deal with enquirers face-to-face. Telephone enq
