Back to Search
Start Over
Adult mental health provision in England: a national survey of acute day units.
- Source :
-
BMC health services research [BMC Health Serv Res] 2019 Nov 21; Vol. 19 (1), pp. 866. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Nov 21. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Background: Acute Day Units (ADUs) exist in some English NHS Trusts as an alternative to psychiatric inpatient admission. However, there is a lack of information about the number, configuration, and functioning of such units, and about the extent to which additional units might reduce admissions. This cross-sectional survey and cluster analysis of ADUs aimed to identify, categorise, and describe Acute Day Units (ADUs) in England.<br />Methods: English NHS Mental Health Trusts with ADUs were identified in a mapping exercise, and a questionnaire was distributed to ADU managers. Cluster analysis was used to identify distinct models of service, and descriptive statistics are given to summarise the results of the survey questions.<br />Results: Two types of service were identified by the cluster analysis: NHS (n = 27; and voluntary sector services (n = 18). Under a third of NHS Trusts have access to ADUs. NHS services typically have multi-disciplinary staff teams, operate during office hours, offer a range of interventions (medication, physical checks, psychological interventions, group sessions, peer support), and had a median treatment period of 30 days. Voluntary sector services had mostly non-clinically qualified staff, and typically offered supportive listening on a one-off, drop-in basis. Nearly all services aim to prevent or reduce inpatient admissions. Voluntary sector services had more involvement by service users and carers in management and running of the service than NHS services.<br />Conclusions: The majority of NHS Trusts do not provide ADUs, despite their potential to reduce inpatient admissions. Further research of ADUs is required to establish their effectiveness and acceptability to service users, carers, and staff.
- Subjects :
- Acute Disease
Adult
Cluster Analysis
Cross-Sectional Studies
England
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Research
Humans
State Medicine
Day Care, Medical statistics & numerical data
Hospital Units statistics & numerical data
Mental Disorders therapy
Mental Health Services statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1472-6963
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC health services research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31752861
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4687-8