There are above 170 PICUs identified in the UK. A modest body of research has emerged documenting characteristics of PICU populations. Comprehensive data describing patients admitted to PICUs remains incomplete. There is no data on Female only PICU population's characteristics.

To offer the first and the only project data country wide up to date on Female only PICU population. It describes socio-demographic characteristics, mental state and outcome of treatment for 49 patients admitted to the first Female PICU in NHS in UK in 2008

Prospective case note analysis

65% of patients were single, 73% were Caucasian and 26% had BME background. Most of patients were admitted from police stations and detained under S2 or S3 of the MHA. Most dominant diagnoses were Schizophrenia and Personality Disorder. 77% of admissions were due to physical aggression and severe self harm. Most patients had more than 5 previous admissions to Mental Health wards. Half of the patients received intramuscular Rapid Tranquilization during the admission and 22% were placed in Enhanced Care Area. Median length of stay did not exceed recommended 8 weeks but some patients with the diagnosis of Personality Disorder experienced an excessive length of PICU stay. Most patients were transferred to open acute wards.

Patients admitted to Female PICU were most likely to have major psychosis or personality disorder, admitted due to violence or self harming behavior, more likely to exceed recommended max length of stay if diagnosis of PD was given, BME group being represented.