![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
We reviewed all admissions to the regional secure unit in the North West Thames Region from the inception of the Regional Forensic Psychiatry Service in November 1983 until October 1995. Age, sex, ethnic grouping, clinical diagnosis, admission source, rates of demand from different parts of the region, admission duration and discharge location remained constant. The type and the severity of offences committed by those admitted have changed, with recent admissions having committed more serious and predominantly more violent and sexual offences than those admitted in earlier years. The proportion of patients being admitted at an early stage in criminal justice proceedings has increased. The demand for care from the more urban areas has consistendy been greater than the demand from other areas. About half of the patients remain in the RSU for longer than the recommended 24 months. The implications of these findings for the future of forensic services are: (1) that the demand for medium secure beds is proportionately much greater in die more urban parts of the region: this in turn has implications for funding; (2) that there is a considerable unmet need for long-term medium secure accommodation.
