An audit of incomplete involuntary admissions to an approved Irish centre.

Objectives: With the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001 (M HA 2001) in November 2006, there was an expectation of reduction in the overall involuntary admission rate, particularly as those with a sole diagnosis of substance misuse were specifically excluded from the definition of mental disorder. The aim of this audit cycle was to ascertain this rate and to audit the process of the referral, transfer, assessment and subsequent management of the patients whose admission orders were not completed by the consultant psychiatrists (CPs) following referral for involuntary admission to an approved centre. In addition, the authors wished to ascertain if the recommendations of Audit 2003 were implemented.

Combined antipsychotic use in a community rehabilitation psychiatric service.

Objectives: Despite the clinical guidelines regarding the use of combined antipsychotics and the limited evidence for its benefits, use remains high in psychiatric practice. The aim of this study was to examine prescribing practices and investigate reasons for initiating and continuing combined antipsychotics in stable psychiatric illnesses.

Method: A cross-sectional case record survey of antipsychotic prescribing practices in a community psychiatric rehabilitation service.

Older people with enduring or recurrent severe mental illness (graduates): A literature review.

Objectives: To review the literature on older people with enduring or recurrent severe mental illness with an onset earlier than 65 years (graduates) and, in particular, to look at the specific features and needs of this group.

Method: A Medline literature search produced 41 relevant papers and reports on the subject.

Results: There are a substantial number of older people with severe mental illness and the number will rise in line with increased longevity.

Older people with enduring or recurrent severe mental illness in the Eastern Region of Ireland.

Objectives: There has been no specific planning for older people with enduring or recurrent severe mental illness in Ireland. This survey aims to identify the number of affected over 65 year olds (graduates) and 55-64 year olds (prospective graduates) in the Health Service Executive, Eastern Region, their diagnoses and their use of psychiatric services.

Method: A comprehensive survey of the ten general adult psychiatry and four old age psychiatry services in the (HSE) Eastern Region was undertaken for the year 2003 to determine the number of patients, their diagnoses and service utilisation.

Meeting the needs of people with schizophrenia living in the community: a report from a European collaboration.

Objectives: This study was carried out as part of a collaborative European study, with the aim of assessing needs in a population with chronic schizophrenia in the context of a community service, and also to measure service use in this population.

Method: This is the first part of a 12 month follow-up study of a sample of persons with schizophrenia who were in contact with the psychiatric services. Seventy eight patients who matched the inclusion criteria were randomly selected and 64 (82%) were interviewed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuro-Psychiatry (SCAN) and the Needs for Care Assessment Schedule (NCAS).

Home-based treatment in Monaghan: the first two years.

Objectives: To describe a home-based treatment (HBT) service. To profile the patient population using HBT. To determine why HBT was used and to record disposal.

A 15-year follow-up of schizophrenia in Ireland.

Objectives: Psychiatric hospitalisation rates in Ireland have been high. Recent studies indicate that this is not a consequence of raised incidence. This study explored the possibility that poor outcome may have been responsible for this high hospitalisation prevalence.

Should patients who assault staff be prosecuted?

This article discusses the issue of prosecution of mentally disordered patients particularly in relation to assaults or acts of violence in health care settings. The arguments for prosecuting those responsible for committing acts of dangerous behaviour are discussed, as are the arguments against prosecution and some of the possible reasons why this is a contentious area of discussion. There are significant risks to the integrity of mental health services if the consideration of prosecution as a strategy to reduce risk of violence in hospitals does not become an area of meaningful discussion at all levels.

The incidence of fire setting and associated psychopathology of children attending a child psychiatric outpatients.

Fire setting can be a serious form of anti-social behaviour. A study of 79 consecutive out-patient attenders at a Child Guidance Clinic found a rate of 15 (18.9%).