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North Staffordshire Community Beds Study: Longitudinal evaluation of psychiatric in-patient units attached to community mental health centres

I: Methods, outcome and patient satisfaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Anthony P. Boardman ,
Richard E. Hodgson ,
Martyn Lewis  and
Keith Allen
Anthony P. Boardman*
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Guy's, Kings College and St Thomas' Hospitals' Medical and Dental School, London
Richard E. Hodgson
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, School of Postgraduate Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire
Martyn Lewis
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, School of Postgraduate Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire
Keith Allen
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, School of Postgraduate Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire
*
Dr A. P. Boardman, Academic Department of Psychiatry. 5th Floor, Thomas Guy House, Guy's Hospital, London SEI 9RT
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Abstract

Background

This study evaluates two in-patient units attached to community mental health centres (CMHCs) that were designed to supplement acute in-patient care and to integrate with community-based after-care services.

Aim

To examine the comparative outcome of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) admitted to the two units.

Method

All patients with SMI admitted to the acute psychiatric wards serving the two CMHCs, those transferred to the community in-patient units and those admitted directly to these units (n=110) were compared with patients (n=67) admitted to acute wards serving two similar catchment areas without associated community beds. Baseline clinical and social measures were made and repeated at six and 12 months. Satisfaction with services was assessed at 12 months.

Results

The experimental group showed significantly better outcomes, significant reduction in unmet need and better satisfaction with services.

Conclusions

The use of the community beds appears to have significant benefits for patients with SMI.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 1 , July 1999 , pp. 70 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

†

See Part II, pp. 79–86 this issue.

Declaration of interest

Support received from the North Staffordshire Health Authority and the North Staffordshire Combined Health Care NHS Trust.

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