With the national redesign of specialist mental health services and its move towards episodic care, community mental health teams in the UK face a challenge in transferring LAI patients to Primary Care. In North Bristol, anecdotal concerns had been raised about this, particularly in the absence of established shared care arrangements (SCAs), and these prompted this service evaluation.

To characterise the use of LAIs by NBRS.

1. 1. To establish the prevalence of LAI prescriptions in NBRS and type of LAI prescribed.

2. 2. To consider the resource implications and distribution of LAI patients by Primary Care surgery.

3. 3. Using aims 1&2 to inform the development of local SCAs.

Use of a cross-sectional caseload survey of 523 out-patients under the care of NBRS on 1 September 2012.

LAIs were prescribed for 15% of the service’s total caseload (both psychotic and non-psyhcotic diagnoses). For those diagnosed with psychosis, flupentixol, risperidone and zuclopenthixol were most commonly prescribed, at mainly fortnightly or weekly injection intervals. The highest concentration of LAI patients were registered with Primary Care surgeries in areas reported as among the 10% most deprived nationally.

1. 1. LAI prescribing practice in NBRS, for those with psychosis, was consistent with national practice.

2. 2. Use of LAIs has particular resource implications for mental health teams.

3. 3. Use of SCAs could facilitate the transfer of care of LAI patients to Primary Care.