TAPS project 34: Out-of-hours referrals, before and after psychiatric admission bed changes

Abstract

Reorganisation of the acute psychiatric services in Bloomsbury and Islington has seen a reduction in the number of admission and rehabilitation beds available. This has been followed by an increase in the number of emergency referrals for admission during 'out-of-hours' periods, and greater difficulty finding beds for those considered to need admission. The loss of rehabilitation beds on what often double up as 'overflow' wards has had as great an effect on the service as had the reduction in admission beds. The need for concomitant development of increased facilities in the community is discussed.