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Women referred for medium secure inpatient care: a population study over a six-year period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2010

Clive Long*
Affiliation:
St Andrews Healthcare
Louise Hall
Affiliation:
St Andrews Healthcare
Lorraine Craig
Affiliation:
St Andrews Healthcare
Ursula Mochty
Affiliation:
St Andrews Healthcare
Clive R. Hollin
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
*
Correspondence to: Dr C.G. Long, St Andrews Healthcare, Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5DG. Tel: 01604 616307; Fax: 01604 616410; E-mail: clong@standrew.co.uk
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Abstract

The need to map women’s secure hospital services in terms of patient population and service needs over time is acknowledged given: the increase in forensic and medium secure beds nationally; and limited gender specific analysis in previous studies. Data is presented relating to 65 consecutive admissions (over a 6-year period) to a women’s medium secure unit at three (14-month) time periods. Trends noted in population statistics include a decline in special hospital referrals and an increased proportion of prison referrals with an index offence of arson in the past two years in association with a lower level of cognitive functioning, and a higher level of assaultative behaviour. In accord with the responsivity principle (Ogloff & Davis, 2004) the implications for treatment and service planning for this changing population are discussed.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © NAPICU 2011

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