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A comparison of NHS and private low secure units: Unit and patient characteristics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Khadija Chaudhry  and
Stephen M Pereira
Khadija Chaudhry
Affiliation:
Research Psychologist, Pathways on Tagore Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, North East London Mental Health Trust
Stephen M Pereira*
Affiliation:
Honorary Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry
*
Correspondence to: Dr Stephen M Pereira, Pathways on Tagore Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, North East London Mental Health Trust, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, Essex IG3 8XJ. Tel: 0208 970 5833; Fax: 0208 970 5838; E-mail: Stephen.Pereira@nelmht.nhs.uk
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Abstract

Background: Both the National Health Service (NHS) and the private sector provide low secure care. Little is known about the differences between the two sectors regarding the unit functioning and characteristics of patients admitted to low secure units (LSUs).

Aim: To compare the unit and patient characteristics of NHS and private LSUs.

Method: A cross sectional census day postal design was employed.

Results: The analysis is based on 128 LSUs (98 NHS, 30 private). NHS LSUs accommodated 1084 patients and the private LSUs accommodated 359 patients. Analysis of the data showed that some differences existed between the two sectors related to the number of beds, unit facilities, interventions and the referral-discharge route. The demographic characteristics of NHS and private patients were similar. The majority of patients were white, male, unemployed and single.

Conclusion: Although the NHS and the private sector LSUs work similarly and share many characteristics in terms of the unit functioning and the patient characteristics, a few very significant differences between the two sectors have also emerged.

Keywords

Low secure unitsNational Health Serviceprivate sector
Type
Original Paper
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , June 2009 , pp. 15 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © NAPICU 2009

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