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Where to? A survey of the residual population of a district mental hospital and their predicted placement needs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Ciaran Smyth ,
Angela Mohan ,
Con Buckley  and
Anna Clarke
Ciaran Smyth
Affiliation:
The Waterlow Unit, Camden and Islington Community Mental Health NHS Trust, Highgate Hill, Archway London N19 5NF, England
Con Buckley
Affiliation:
Community Psychiatric Nurse, St. Brendans Hospital, Rathdown Road, Dublin 7, Ireland
Anna Clarke
Affiliation:
Lecturer in Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology, University College Dublin, Earlsfort Tce, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Abstract

Objective: In line with Irish government and health board policy, existing district psychiatric hospitals are scheduled for rundown and closure, with ongoing care being transferred to general hospitals and community based resources. However it is unclear as to what resources will be required if this policy is to proceed. The objective of this study is to obtain the current needs profile of the inpatient population of one such hospital and to predict what facilities would be needed in the event of closure.

Method: Using a staff completed questionnaire, specially constructed by the hospital rehabilitation team, and which has been used to help predict needs for past successful relocations, information was obtained on all inpatients on a designated day. Each patient was rated as requiring independent, low-support, or high-support accommodation, the nature of which depending on the perceived needs.

Results: This survey shows that the residual population is predominantly middle-aged and elderly with many disabilities and persisting challenging behaviours. The majority have high dependency needs which limits the placements options to high support facilities, which as yet are under provided for in the community.

Conclusion: Further planning and resources will be required if the above policy is to be realised.

Keywords

DeinstitutionalisationHealth facility closureMental disorder rehabilitationLongterm careCommunity mental health services
Type
Audits
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 105 - 108
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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