Challenges in accessing local services for a person with complex mental health needs: a network approach

Abstract

This case study of a woman with moderate learning disabilities, autistic traits and bipolar affective disorder illustrates the challenges of supporting people with learning disabilities in community settings during an acute episode of mental illness. She was admitted to a generic in‐patient psychiatric service, and the way in which her links with her home and community were maintained are described. The difficulty of transferring and maintaining behavioural guidelines from the in‐patient to a community setting are discussed. The delay in effecting a discharge necessitated her admission to a specialist unit for people with learning disabilities outside the local area. The possible reasons and solutions for this scenario are debated.