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Prevalence of housing needs among inpatients: a 1 year audit of housing needs in the acute mental health unit in Tallaght Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2016

J. Cowman*
Affiliation:
Tallaght Adult Mental Health Service, Sheaf House, Exchange Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
P. Whitty
Affiliation:
Tallaght Adult Mental Health Service, Sheaf House, Exchange Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: J. Cowman, Tallaght Adult Mental Health Service, Sheaf House, Exchange Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])

Abstract

Objective

There is a dearth of information relating to the prevalence of housing needs among psychiatric in-patients in Ireland. Most of the information we have to date emerged as a result of attempts to plan for the closure of old psychiatric hospitals and inappropriate community residences. This study sought to identify the prevalence of housing needs among in-patients in the acute psychiatric unit in Tallaght Hospital.

Methods

Each week, over a 12-month period, nursing managers and/or key nurses who knew the patients well were asked for numerical data. Information was collected on the numbers of in-patients with accommodation needs, number of delayed discharges due to accommodation needs and number of discharges to homeless accommodation in the previous week.

Results

On average, 38% of in-patients had accommodation related needs at any one time. Most (98%) of delayed discharges had accommodation related needs. Delayed discharge in-patients with accommodation needs accounted for 28% of all inpatients and for 72% of all inpatients with accommodation related needs.

Conclusions

Accommodation need among psychiatric in-patients is underreported. Housing need data should be routinely collected and effective interagency strategies developed to address housing needs.

Type
Original Research
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2016 

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