Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 7 of 7
Report of the independent inquiry into the care and treatment of John Barrett
- Author:
- SOUTH WEST LONDON STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITY
- Publisher:
- South West London Strategic Health Authority
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 422p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Inquiry report highlights some important systemic failures and is not only critical of the responsible Consultant, but also of Trust Management, of the Mental Health Review tribunal system, and some of the Home Office processes. The report makes recommendations on the need for changes to systemic processes and to the co-ordination of care of forensic patients. It is the responsibility of the Trust to ensure that mechanisms are in place to address these systemic failures, and that all the professionals involved in this Inquiry are supported, whilst important changes are implemented. John Barrett had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Unfortunately, some patients with schizophrenia can be a risk to other people, although it should be stressed that this is a minority. Also only 10% of people committing homicides are mentally ill at the time. Psychiatrists recognise that such patients, although a critical few, need very careful management. The disciplines involved in their care and treatment have at heart the need to avoid such tragedies.
Care needs of elderly people with schizophrenia: assessment of an epidemiologically defined cohort in Scotland
- Authors:
- McNULTY Seamus V., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 182(3), March 2003, pp.241-247.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Little is known of the needs of elderly patients with psychotic illnesses. The aim of this artilce was to measure the care needs of an epidemiologically based group of patients over the age of 65 years suffering from psychotic illness, using a standardised assessment. All patients aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders from a defined catchment area were identified. Their health and social care needs were investigated using the Cardinal Needs Schedule. The 1-year prevalence of schizophrenia and related disorders was 4.44 per 1000 of the population at risk. There were high levels of unmet need for many patients, including those in National Health Service (NHS) continuing-care beds. Many needs were identified, all of which could be addressed using the existing skills of local health and social care professionals. The investigation raises serious concerns about standards of hospital and community care for elderly patients with schizophrenia. The findings may be unique, reflecting long-standing problems within a particularly hard-pressed part of the NHS. However, it is not known whether a similar situation exists in other parts of the UK.
The drugs don't work
- Author:
- WADDELL Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 19.09.02, 2002, p.26.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Psychiatric service users and mental health professionals have long debated the merits of therapy as opposed to medication, or at the very least therapy in addition to psychiatric drugs. And with the safety of so-called "clean" SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) antidepressant drugs being brought into question by users and professionals, the need for effective, client-focused rather than "clock-focused" therapies seems ever more important.
How mental illness loses out in the NHS
- Author:
- LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS. Centre for Economic Performance. Mental Health Policy Group
- Publisher:
- London School of Economics, Centre for Economic Performance
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 34p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, written by a team of economists, psychologists, doctors and NHS managers, looks at the scale of mental illness in Britain and the priority the NHS gives to treating these conditions. It is stated that only a quarter of all those people with mental illness are in treatment, compared with the vast majority of those with physical conditions. Within the term 'mental illness' the report includes in its coverage clinical depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and children conduct disorder. The report covers: the scale and severity of mental illness; the costs of mental illness to the NHS; the wider costs of mental illness to the government and to society; what treatments exist, such as psychological therapies and how successful and cost-effective they are; the extent to which treatments are available in the NHS, and the policy implications of our conclusions. The report makes six key recommendations. These include need to complete the national roll-out of Improved Access to Psychological Therapy by 2014, reflect IATP outcomes in the NHS Outcomes Framework, and the training of GPs in IAPT or CAMHS services.
Delayed discharge, a solvable problem?: the place of intermediate care in mental health care of older people
- Authors:
- PATON J. M., FAHY M. A., LIVINGSTONE G. A.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 8(1), January 2004, pp.34-39.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The National Service Framework for Older People envisages the development of intermediate care for older people. This study examined the possible role of intermediate care beds within mental health trusts. We interviewed senior clinicians in an inner city old age psychiatry service about the 91 current in-patients on the old age psychiatric wards. Sixty-five were classified as acute patients and the remaining 26 were continuing care patients. Structured instruments were used to collect information regarding neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and current met and unmet needs. Where discharge was delayed an assessment was made regarding the appropriateness for an intermediate care setting according to the criteria set by the Department of Health guidelines. A total of 30 (46%) patients' discharges were delayed. Of these, 19 (29%) patients met the DOH criteria for intermediate care; 10 (53%) had dementia, five (26%) affective disorder, and four (21%) with schizophrenia. The 11 other delayed discharges were because of lack of availability of finance for placements. The study found that the prompt discharge of older patients from acute psychiatric care was a significant problem and many of those patients may benefit from the therapeutic and rehabilitative process afforded by intermediate care.
Meeting of minds: best practice case studies in mental health services
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 46p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Contains examples of best practice of partnership working in the implementation of mental health policy. The establishment of the National Institute for Mental Health presents an opportunity to reshape services and practice in line with the evidence base. The 'Meeting of minds' project represents some of the wide range of joint NHS and industry initiatives that have been developed through the foresight of those working in mental health.
The prevalence and costs of psychiatric disorders and learning disabilities
- Authors:
- SMITH Kirsteen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 166, January 1995, pp.9-18.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Assesses the economic burden of psychiatric disorders and learning disability in order to aid decisions on priorities for research. A wide variety of data sources both on prevalence and on the usage and costs of relevant services were used to measure the economic burden of each condition.