.1. PSYCHIATRIC REHOSPITALIZATION FOLLOWING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

The purpose of this study was twofold: to examine the patient characte ristics at discharge from an acute psychiatric unit that were associat ed with an increased likelihood of rehospitalization within the follow ing six months, and to examine the relationship between rehospitalizat ion and the nature of psychiatric aftercare in a well-integrated hospi tal and community based psychiatric service. The study reviewed the ex tent of psychiatric rehospitalization following the closure of large n umbers of institutional psychiatric beds. At six months after discharg e 38% of the patients had been readmitted to an institution, most comm only a hospital. Despite the provision of an integrated hospital and c ommunity health service with excellent welfare support, dissatisfactio n with finances independently exerted an influence on the risk of read mission. Implications for future research and treatment planning are d iscussed focussing on the complex integration of health and welfare se rvices.