NO WAY OUT - THE DELAYED DISCHARGE OF ELDERLY MENTALLY-ILL ACUTE AND ASSESSMENT PATIENTS IN NORTH AND SOUTH THAMES REGIONS

We examined the characteristics of patients occupying elderly-mentally -ill acute and assessment beds in all mental health units within North and South Thames Regions; the proportion of patients defined as no lo nger requiring acute care (inappropriately located); and the unmet nee d for alternative service provision these patients required. Of the 15 10 patients surveyed, 24.4% (n = 368) were defined as inappropriately located. For inappropriately located patients unable to be discharged home most (52.8%, n = 154) required residential care or nursing-home p rovision. A large proportion of these patients were very elderly (aged 85+ years), had dementia, and required high levels of supervision. Th is study indicates that purchasers, mental health service managers and social services departments should devise a more appropriate mix of i npatient and community provision. Particular emphasis needs to be plac ed on the greater provision of residential care and nursing homes with an appropriate skill-mis to care for this complex care group.