An Acute Inpatient Geriatric Assessment and Treatment Unit

This study evaluates the implementation of Safewards on an assessment and treatment unit (ATU) for people with an intellectual disability. There are no previous studies evaluating this model in this context and previous research has focused largely on acute mental health services. The ‘Patient–Staff Conflict Shift Report’ was used at baseline for 1 month and 1 year later, after all the interventions had been implemented, to evaluate the impact of Safewards. Significant reductions were found in conflict and containment measures used within the service after the implementation of Safewards. Staff who led on the interventions were also asked to give feedback on their experiences, the challenges they faced and how they would like to move forward. Safewards was generally seen as a positive approach by the team. Limitations of this study are highlighted and suggestions for future research are made.

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A Survey of the Use of an Assessment and Treatment Unit for Adults with Learning Disability in Lanarkshire Over A Six Year Period (2001–2006)

The British Journal of Development Disabilities ◽

10.1179/096979508799103279 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 54 (107) ◽

pp. 89-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Khalid Nawab ◽

Linda Findlay

Keyword(s):

Learning Disability ◽

Treatment Unit ◽

Assessment And Treatment

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The psychotherapy department and the community mental health team: bridges and boundaries

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.22.12.729 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. 729-732 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jeremy Holmes

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Community Mental Health ◽

Psychiatric Treatment ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Psychiatric Service ◽

Treatment Unit ◽

Psychological Therapies ◽

General Psychiatry ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Therapeutic Activities

Aims and methodThe aim of the study was to clarify the role of psychotherapy departments in relation to a general psychiatric service, and in particular community mental health teams (CMHTs). Literature reviews of therapeutic activities in CMHTs and of psychotherapy delivery methods were undertaken. The implications of the National Health Service Executive document on Psychotherapy Services in England was considered, based on experience of the psychotherapy-general psychiatry interfaces in North Devon and Bristol.ResultsPsychological therapies are an integral part of psychiatric treatment provided in CMHTs, but are often delivered without careful assessment training or supervision. Psychotherapy departments contain expertise in the range of psychological therapies, but are sometimes perceived as remote from everyday psychiatric practice. Ways in which the divide between general psychiatry and psychotherapy might be bridged are suggested. A multi-disciplinary psychological treatment unit can offer specialist resources for the assessment and treatment of complex cases, especially those with personality disorders; psychological interventions in psychosis; and brief focused therapies for neurotic disorders unresponsive to drugs.Clinical ImplicationsConsultation and liaison with the CMHT should become a key element in the work of a psychological treatment unit, and structured therapies under supervision similarly central to the work of CMHTs.

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