The Psychiatrist (2009) 33: 381-383. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.022699
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Uncertainty among Scottish psychiatrists over NHS continuing care guidance

Gary S. Stevenson, Consultant Psychiatrist

NHS Fife, Department of Psychiatry, Stratheden Hospital, Cupar, Fife KY15 5RR, email: garystevenson{at}fife-pct.scot.nhs.uk

Agnieszka Philipson, Specialist Training Year 4 in Old Age Psychiatry

South East Scotland Psychiatric Rotation

Gordon McLaren, Consultant in Public Health Medicine

NHS Fife, Cameron Hospital, Fife

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To examine knowledge among Scottish psychiatrists of the 1996 guidance on National Health Service (NHS) responsibility for continuing healthcare, a postal questionnaire was devised and sent to the 132 consultants and specialist registrars in the South-East Scotland Deanery in May 2007.

RESULTS

Two-thirds of the clinicians (67%, n = 88) responded, 88% of whom had in-patient responsibilities. Only 24% responded positively to an awareness of the current Scottish guidance. There was a strong association between awareness of the guidance and psychiatric speciality, and greater awareness among clinicians with previous experience of a relevant complaint or appeal.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Uncertainty about NHS continuing healthcare guidance among practising psychiatrists suggests a need for increased awareness of the issues, with training implications for the new guidance on NHS continuing healthcare in Scotland which became effective in February 2008.