2001 Conference

DRAYTON PARK, AN ALTERNATIVE TO HOSPITAL ADMISSION FOR WOMEN IN ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

Dr Helen Killaspy, Clinical Research Fellow, Royal Free Hosptal, London.
Dr Joy Dalton, Consultant Psychiatrist, Waterlow Unit, Highgate Hill, London.
Shirley McNicholas, Project Manager, 32 Drayton Park, London.
Dr Sonia Johnson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free & University College London Medical School.

Background

Drayton Park is the first women only residential mental health crisis facility in the United Kingdom, providing 12 places for women who would otherwise be considered for hospital admission. It also has the unique advantage of offering places for the women's children to remain with them during their stay, thus avoiding the need for temporary placement elsewhere.

Aims and method

To investigate whether Drayton Park is succeeding in its remit of providing a viable alternative to hospital admission. We randomly selected case files from 100 women admitted to the facility since its opening and examined variables including demographic details, the reasons for referral, diagnosis and the source of referral.

Results

In the first three years of operation there have been 620 admissions and 44 children have stayed at Drayton Park. We found that the service is able to respond quickly to referrals and appears to be functioning safely. The women admitted have a relatively short length of stay, half are suffering with depressive episodes and one third have a relapse of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. 80% have a history of previous admission to psychiatric hospital. Very few serious incidents have occurred.

Clinical implications

This project appears to be succeeding in providing a safe alternative to hospital admission for women with severe and enduring mental health problems.