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How Likely is it that a District Health Authority can Close its Large Mental Hospitals?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

L. S. Levene ,
L. J. Donaldson  and
S. Brandon
L. S. Levene
Affiliation:
Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of Leicester, Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, P.O. Box 65, Leicester, LE2 7LX
L. J. Donaldson
Affiliation:
Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of Leicester, Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, P.O. Box 65, Leicester, LE2 7LX
S. Brandon*
Affiliation:
Departments of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of Leicester, Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, P.O. Box 65, Leicester, LE2 7LX
*
∗ Correspondence
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Summary

A cross-sectional survey assessed all 1,087 patients who were in psychiatric beds provided by a large district health authority. The elderly predominated in all length of stay categories, and a high proportion of them had levels of social and physical incapacity which made it unlikely that they could be cared for other than in residential care. A substantial minority of younger patients with a length of stay between one and two years had levels of incapacity which suggested the need for major treatment, rehabilitation, or training efforts. The findings have major implications for Government policy to replace large mental hospitals.

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Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 147 , Issue 2 , August 1985 , pp. 150 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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