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Design in Psychiatric Intensive Care Units: problems and issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 June 2006

Stephen M Pereira ,
Khadija Chaudhry ,
Sabrina Pietromartire ,
Colin Dale  and
Jim Halliwell
Stephen M Pereira
Affiliation:
Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry
Khadija Chaudhry
Affiliation:
Psychologist, Pathways on Tagore Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, North East London Mental Health Trust
Sabrina Pietromartire
Affiliation:
Psychiatrist, Pathways on Tagore Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, North East London Mental Health Trust
Colin Dale
Affiliation:
National Institute of Mental Health in England
Jim Halliwell
Affiliation:
NHS Estates, UK
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Abstract

Background: The physical environment of a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) or Low Secure Unit (LSU) is one of its defining aspects. The National Minimum Standards for General Adult Services in PICUs and Low Secure Environments published by the Department of Health (2002) outlines the standards to be followed regarding design of PICUs and LSUs. Till date, no comprehensive national data exists about the standard of physical environment of these units.

Aim: To determine whether current physical environment of PICUs and LSUs are adequate to meet the therapeutic needs of patients in England.

Method: An inventory was sent to all NHS PICUs and LSUs (in England).

Results: A total of 231 units were identified as either PICUs or LSUs. Out of these, 164 valid returns were received. Sixty PICU units (62.5%) and 43 LSU units (63.5%) were good or acceptable. Thirty six PICU units (37.5%) and 25 LSU units (36.5%) failed on several issues. Analysis of the data showed that to bring the PICU/LSU Estate to a good standard is anticipated to cost approximately £140million.

Conclusion: The Department of Health has allocated funding of £30 million to be distributed amongst all the 28 Strategic Health Authorities. A further funding of £130 million has also been released to address places of safety and for upgrading PICUs and LSUs to meet the National Minimum Standards.

Declaration of Interest: The project was funded by the Department of Health.

Keywords

Psychiatric Intensive Care Unitslow secure unitsphysical environment, Department of Health National Minimum Standards for General Adult Services in Psychiatric Intensive Care Units and Low Secure Environments
Type
Original Paper
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , December 2005 , pp. 70 - 76
Copyright
© 2006 NAPICU

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