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Irish psychiatric absconders: characteristics and outcome

Department of Psychological Medicine, 103 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF,

Siobhán Rooney, Registrar

Trinity Court, Dublin,

Darina Sloan, Senior Registrar

University College, Galway,

Patricia McAuley, Consultant Psychiatrist

Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham,

Fiona Mulvaney, Research Assistant

St John of God Hospital Dublin

Eadbhard O'Callaghan, Consultant Psychiatrist

Cluain Mhuire Child and Family Centre, Dublin,

Conal Larkin, Medical Director

St John of God Hospital, Dublin

^* Correspondence

Absconding constitutes a significant clinical problem, leading to high levels of anxiety among staff. Ninety-five psychiatric in-patients who absconded from an Irish hospital over a period of 12 months were reviewed retrospectively. Absconders were significantly more likely to be single and compulsorily detained with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or personality disorder when compared to the remaining hospital population for that year. Common destinations included the public house and home, with most returning of their own volition within 24 hours. The rates of self-harm and violence against others are recorded.