More beds is not the answer to shortage of acute psychiatric beds

Acute psychiatric units have high levels of bed occupancy, leading to shortages in availability. Shepherd et al (p 262) examined the relation between bed use, social deprivation, and availability of beds in a nationally representative group of acute psychiatric units. They found that occupancy was related to social deprivation and total availability of acute beds. However, a quarter of inpatients (and two thirds of those with stays of more than six months) did not need continuing admission. Reasons preventing discharge were lack of suitable accommodation, domiciliary based community support, and long term rehabilitation places. The authors suggest that some patients should be relocated in more suitable accommodation with intensive community support. Simply providing more acute beds is not the answer.


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