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The use of Ward Support by Psychiatric Patients in the Community

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

S. F. Mitchell
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF
J. L. T. Birley
Affiliation:
Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ

Summary

A system of ward support for chronic psychiatric patients in an urban community is described, which makes available ward and staff facilities throughout the 24 hours and at weekends. Details are given of a group of 41 patients using this facility over a period of six months. Two types of use of the ward were identified, based on the amount of social interaction with other staff and patients. The ‘unengaged’, with a high rate of visits, were mainly schizophrenic patients with an early first onset of illness and currently a scanty social network (small primary group and often no confidant). The ‘engaged’, with a lower rate of visits, were people with a later onset and a larger social network.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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