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A survey of violent and threatening behaviours within an in-patient learning disability unit

The Portman Clinic, London

Brian Fitzgerald, Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities

Cumbria Villa, Enfield Community Care NHS Trust, The Ridgeway, Enfield EN2 8JL

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To analyse violent and threatening behaviour occurring within an in-patient service. We surveyed recorded incidents over a 6-month period.

RESULTS

Ninety-six incidents were recorded. The patients involved were assessed as being aware of their actions. Police were contacted in five cases. No charges were pressed.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

We believe that violence and threatening behaviours are excessively tolerated in learning disability units. Reasons for this include a staff culture of accepting offending behaviour and an unwillingness or inability to involve the police.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Reed, A. Russell, K. Xenitidis, and D. G. M. Murphy People with learning disabilities in a low secure in-patient unit: comparison of offenders and non-offenders The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2004; 185(6): 499 - 504. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Bayney and G. Ikkos Managing criminal acts on the psychiatric ward: understanding the police view Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., September 1, 2003; 9(5): 359 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]