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This paper aims to describe a new process for creating points systems – i.e. decision criteria and their point values – for prioritising patients for access to elective health services.

The process was developed in New Zealand from a project the authors were closely involved in, beginning in 2004, to create new points systems, initially for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and then successively for other elective services. The objective was to overcome the limitations of earlier methodologies for creating points systems.

The process, supported by internet‐based software, consists of seven steps performed by a working group of clinical leaders for the elective service concerned, in consultation with patient groups and other clinicians. The authors' experience reveals it is acceptable to clinicians and their professional organisations as well as to patient groups.

The process creates points systems that are valid and reproducible and based on a consensus of clinical judgements. The process is explained in a step‐by‐step manner so that it is possible for readers to apply it themselves to create points systems for their own patient‐prioritisation applications.

The purpose of this paper is to explore recent research on reducing suicide, especially in men, who are often seen as excluding themselves from needing support, or they are excluded because people think they do not want it.

A search was carried out for recent papers on suicide prevention in men.

One study of 75 regions of Europe reported a link between higher value on giving social support and lower suicide rates, especially for men. Another study reported on the fall in a previously high suicide rate, especially in men, in Quebec province in Canada. A programme of suicide prevention may have contributed to this reduction. Finally, a small interview study reported on how certain kinds of encounters with professionals can inspire hope to carry on after a suicide attempt.

The two papers looking at regions (across Europe and one province of Canada) suggest how social forces may contribute to reducing suicide, especially in men. The Canadian study suggests the possibility that suicide might be reduced partly by enabling help-seeking in men to be seen as a positive aspect of masculine identity, rather than seeing masculinity as excluding men from support. The small qualitative study illustrates vividly how individual encounters after a suicide attempt might promote hopefulness and are relevant to both sexes.