Changes in psychiatric admissions in rural northern England

Abstract

Recent studies in English cities have shown increases in admissions to acute psychiatric wards. There have been particular increases in admissions of young men, people with drug problems, and out-of-hours admissions. The present study compared hospital record data using 6 months' admission cohorts from 1990, 1993 and 1996 to investigate whether these changes have occurred in rural areas, and whether they represent continuing trends. The results showed significant steady upward trends in the numbers of young men, drug-related problems, accident and emergency referrals, and out-of-hours admissions. It is concluded that the pattern of psychiatric admissions is changing in rural as well as urban England, and these changes should inform the planning of future services.