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Outcome of acute psychiatric in-patient care where there are no crisis or home treatment teams

Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS Lanarkshire, The Airbles Road Centre, Motherwell ML1 2TP, email: polash.shajahan{at}lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Mark Taylor

Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Springpark Resource Centre, Glasgow

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To examine the pathways and outcomes of in-patient care in our locality before crisis teams were introduced details of all emergency referrals to psychiatry were recorded and all admissions to hospital were assessed within 24 h of admission and discharge.

RESULTS

Over a 6-month period, 88% (n=1852) of calls to the duty psychiatrist occurred between 09.00 and 01.00 h. Referrals from accident and emergency and general practice represented the majority of calls (80%); 40% of patients were admitted. Highest admission rates were for patients who were psychotic, suicidal or depressed. Admission led to improvement in all symptoms.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In-patient care is a valuable resource for stabilising patients who are acutely ill. Routine monitoring of unscheduled activity can inform service delivery.