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Rate of involuntary admission in Dublin South West: a 5-year retrospective review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2015

S. McManus ,
B. McDonnell  and
P. Whitty
S. McManus*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
B. McDonnell
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
P. Whitty
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: S. McManus, Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. (Email: sorchamcmanus@rcsi.ie)
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Abstract

Objective

International figures for involuntary admissions vary widely. Differences in legislation, professionals’ ethics and public attitudes towards risk have been known to influence this rate. Comparing involuntary admission rates in different parts of the same country can help control for variability found between international studies. This study assessed the rates of involuntary admissions in the Dublin South West Mental Health Service compared with the rest of Ireland.

Methods

We examined the demographic and clinical profiles of all involuntary patients admitted to the acute psychiatric inpatient unit in Tallaght Hospital between 2007 and 2011. We compared the rate of admission in Tallaght with the rest of Ireland. Data gathered included all patients detained on Form 6 and Form 13 (change of status) looking at age, gender, diagnosis and number of patients who had a Mental Health Tribunal. Form 7 (renewal orders) was also examined

We calculated the rate per 100 000 population per year of Form 6 admissions, Form 13 and Form 7 (certificate and renewal order by responsible consultant psychiatrist) using figures from the 2006 Census. All data were analysed using SPSS.

Results

The rate of involuntary admission in Tallaght Hospital was significantly lower compared with the rest of Ireland (Form 6: t=−11.2; p<0.001, Form 13: t=−3.1; p=0.04, Form 7: t=−13.9; p=0.001). This difference was evident for all methods of involuntary detention and was also the case for Form 7 (renewal orders). Mental Health Tribunals were held for 59% of patients, a rate comparable with earlier findings described in publications, following the introduction of the new Mental Health Act.

Conclusions

Rates per 100 000 population were lower in Dublin South West compared with the rest of Ireland. The reasons for this are not clear. Further research comparing similar services in Ireland could explain these findings.

Keywords

demographic & clinical profileIrelandinvoluntary admissionTallaght Hospital
Type
Review Article
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , December 2015 , pp. 341 - 345
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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