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Trends in admissions to a regional secure unit (1983-1997)
C S Brown1, K R Lloyd, M Donovan
1Department of Mental Health, University of Exeter, Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter EX2 5AF.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Regional secure units (RSUs) are experiencing "silting up" due to increased patient length of stay and decreased admissions. This trend impacts forensic psychiatric service effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Mental Health Services Research
Background:
- Regional secure units (RSUs) provide specialized care for individuals requiring secure psychiatric settings.
- Understanding patient flow dynamics is crucial for resource allocation and service delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in admissions and discharges within a 30-bed RSU over a 15-year period.
- To investigate the phenomenon of 'silting up' and its implications for forensic psychiatric services.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective survey of admissions and discharges.
- Analysis of patient data over a 15-year timeframe.
- Examination of trends in length of stay, admissions, and discharges in the last five years.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in the average length of patient stay was observed in the last five years.
- A marked decrease in the number of admissions and discharges occurred concurrently.
- The RSU experienced a 'silting up' effect, with longer-term patients occupying beds.
Conclusions:
- The 'silting up' of RSUs by longer-term patients poses challenges to effective forensic psychiatric service delivery.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying reasons and develop strategies to mitigate this trend.
- Ensuring efficient patient flow is critical for maintaining the capacity and effectiveness of secure psychiatric services.