Abstract
To investigate trends in admissions to the state forensic hospital (Western Australia (WA)) from court on hospital orders from 2007 to 2016. A retrospective survey was undertaken. Demographic, clinical and legal data were obtained from hospital records. Hospital orders referred on less serious charges or without a primary diagnosis of major mental illness were identified as 'non-forensic'. There were 890 hospital orders representing 40% of total admissions. Eighty-one per cent were male and 50% had a diagnosis of schizophrenia; 22% were Indigenous; 421 (47%) were admitted on less serious (non-Schedule 1) charges; 199 (22%) did not have a primary diagnosis of a major mental illness recorded on the discharge summary; 82 (9%) had neither major mental illness nor serious charges. Overall, 539 hospital orders (60%) were identified as non-forensic; 243 (45%) of these were made with no input from the Court Liaison Service (CLS). Hospital orders make up a significant proportion of admissions to the forensic unit in WA. Many do not require secure forensic care. Developing alternative diversion pathways is essential.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.