Psychiatric Bulletin (2008) 32: 380-383. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.107.018507
© 2008 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Survey of long-stay patients on acute psychiatric wards

Martin Commander, Consultant Psychiatrist

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, Northcroft, Reservoir Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6AL, email: martin.commander{at}bsmht.nhs.uk

Dharjinder Rooprai, Specialist Registrar

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, Reaside Clinic, Bristol

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To describe the profile of patients staying on acute wards for longer than 6 months and to compare staff appraisals of accommodation needs with patients’ placements at 2 years.

RESULTS

Long-stay patients consistently occupied around a fifth of all acute beds. The nursing and medical staff recommendations and patients’ placements at 2 years showed only moderate agreement. Aside from remaining in hospital, patients were most likely to be living in a residential or nursing home at follow-up.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

There is a need to sharpen the focus of mental health strategy on non-acute hospital provision and 24-h-staffed community facilities. In particular, it is important to recognise the contribution of clinical expertise to the assessment and placement of long-stay in-patients.




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