Psychiatric Bulletin (2009) 33: 41-43. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.019455
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Editorial

Are specialised affective disorder services useful?{dagger}

Debra J. Shepherd, Academic Specialist Registrar (deceased), Lisa J. Insole, Specialist Registrar, R. Hamish McAllister-Williams, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist and Reader in Psychopharmacology and I. Nicol Ferrier, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist and Professor

Regional Affective Disorders Service, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, and Newcastle University, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, email: i.n.ferrier{at}ncl.ac.uk

Declaration of interest

All authors work in a specialist affective disorders service.

{dagger} See invited commentary, p. 44, this issue.

Abstract

Across the UK there are a number of tertiary level affective disorder services, usually based in academic centres, that provide support for the management of patients with complex and treatment-resistant conditions. Such services play a potentially important role in instilling hope into patients, carers and healthcare teams in situations where therapeutic nihilism has often developed. They also provide a valuable reservoir of expertise on the use of medications outside of licensed usage, and new and emerging treatments. To date there is relatively little data regarding patient outcomes after referral to such services; however, what there is does suggest important benefits for both patients and healthcare economies. As ever, more research is needed.


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The Newcastle approach. Invited commentary on... Are specialised affective disorder services useful?
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PB 2009 33: 44. [Full Text]  



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Response to: Are specialised affective disorder services useful?
Muhanad Sawa, et al.
PB Online, 10 Jun 2009 [Full text]