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Social Deprivation Amongst Short Stay Psychiatric Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Lorna Ebringer
Affiliation:
Social Worker (Principal Grade), Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
J. R. W. Christie-Brown
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, London SE5 8AZ

Summary

Two samples of newly admitted psychiatric patients were examined. Of 558 patients admitted during one year, 76 (13.7 per cent) came in from transitory accommodation or no fixed abode; of 456 patients discharged 131 (28.7 per cent) either changed address during their stay in hospital or left without known accommodation. Of 102 patients in the wards and day hospital on one day, 29 (28.4 per cent) came in from transitory accommodation or no fixed abode, 66 (64.7 per cent) were unemployed, 51 (50 per cent) were living alone. Of the 74 inpatients 30 (40.5 per cent) were homeless and 27 (36.5 per cent) had no visitors. These results indicate that many patients have lost their community supports by the time they reach hospital.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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