British Journal of Psychiatry, 168, May 1996, pp.598-606.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Looks at a study which assessed long-stay patients with learning disabilities in hospital and 12 and 24 months after discharge in Northern Ireland, to examine the effects of relocation. Results found that there was little or no change in people's low pre-discharge skill levels. There were also few changes in the pattern of activities or the social networks of people 12 months later. Little or no further change in outcomes was reported 24 months after discharge. Concludes that the implementation of the deinstitutionalisation policy in Northern Ireland has been limited by the predominance of residential and nursing homes and the lack of 'ordinary' accommodation. Argues that there is a need for purchasers and providers to give more attention to the ways in which the principles of normalisation could be incorporated in the process of contracting and delivering services.
Looks at a study which assessed long-stay patients with learning disabilities in hospital and 12 and 24 months after discharge in Northern Ireland, to examine the effects of relocation. Results found that there was little or no change in people's low pre-discharge skill levels. There were also few changes in the pattern of activities or the social networks of people 12 months later. Little or no further change in outcomes was reported 24 months after discharge. Concludes that the implementation of the deinstitutionalisation policy in Northern Ireland has been limited by the predominance of residential and nursing homes and the lack of 'ordinary' accommodation. Argues that there is a need for purchasers and providers to give more attention to the ways in which the principles of normalisation could be incorporated in the process of contracting and delivering services.
Subject terms:
hospitals, learning disabilities, morale, patients, hospital discharge, policy, quality of life, residential care, residential child care, social networks, social role valorisation, social skills, adults, conduct disorders, deinstitutionalisation, discharge;