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Characteristics of low secure units in an English region: audit of twenty mental health and learning disabilities units for patients with severe challenging behaviour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2005

Dominic Beer ,
Vicky Turk ,
Phyl McGovern ,
Shaun M Gravestock ,
David Brooks ,
Louisa Barnett  and
David Orr
Dominic Beer
Affiliation:
Honorary Senior Lecturer, Guy's, King's, St. Thomas' & Institute of Psychiatry
Vicky Turk
Affiliation:
Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Learning Disabilities
Phyl McGovern
Affiliation:
Specialist Clinical Audit Co-ordinator, Bracton Centre
Shaun M Gravestock
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist, Oxleas NHS Trust/Honorary Senior Lecturer in Learning Disabilities, University of London
David Brooks
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust
Louisa Barnett
Affiliation:
Assistant Psychologist
David Orr
Affiliation:
Assistant Psychologist, Oxleas NHS Trust, Kent, UK

Abstract

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Aim: To survey the twenty low secure mental health and learning disabilities units in the South Thames Region.

Method: Ward Managers were interviewed and data gathered on: (1) Buildings and security; (2) Beds; (3) Staffing; (4) Therapeutic activities; (5) Policies; (6) Issues of concern.

Results: Learning disabilities units tended to be smaller, older and not purpose built with more issues of security and observation. There was an under provision of Clinical Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Social Work staff.

Conclusion: Any issues of concern raised by staff tended to reflect any structural and staffing deficiencies.

Keywords

Low secure unitschallenging behaviourlow secure mental health unitslow secure mild learning disabilities unitsnational service frameworks for mental health
Type
Original Paper
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , September 2005 , pp. 25 - 28
Copyright
© 2005 NAPICU

References

Beer, M.D., Paton, C. and Pereira, S. (1997) Hot beds of general psychiatry: a national survey of psychiatric intensive care unit. Psychiatric Bulletin. 21: 142–144.Google Scholar
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Beer, M.D., Turk, V., Gravestock, S.M., McGovern, P., Brooks, D., Barnett, L. and Orr, D. (2005) Characteristics of patients exhibiting challenging behaviour in low secure mental health units and learning disabilities units. Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care. 1(1): 29–35.Google Scholar
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Department of Health (2002) National Minimum Standards for General Adult Services in Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) and Low Secure Environments. Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide. Department of Health, London.