Abstract

Aims and MethodA retrospective survey to explore how consultant psychiatrists, senior house officers and community psychiatric nurses prioritised referrals to four sectorised community mental health teams.ResultsReferral outcomes appeared to be comparable for patients with psychoses, sub-threshold mental health problems and personality disorders. However, differences in the outcomes were apparent for patients with a primary diagnosis of drug/alcohol misuse, as well as for patients with affective disorders and neuroses.Clinical ImplicationsIt may be necessary to establish clearer, consistent boundaries in order to consolidate services for patients with severe mental health problems.

Highlights

  • The mean HoNOS ^4 scores were highest for the patients seen by the consultant psychiatrists, 6.67 compared to 6.37 for the patients seen by the senior house officers (SHOs) and 6.43 for the patients seen by the community psychiatric nurses (CPNs), but these differences were not statistically significant (F=0.34, d.f.=2, P=0.71, NS)

  • The overall proportion of patients given ongoing support by one or more members of the community mental health teams (CMHTs) ranged from 35% for the patients seen by the consultant psychiatrists to 25% for the patients seen by the CPNs

  • Patients with psychoses were more likely to be given an initial assessment by a consultant and the mean HoHOS ^4 scores were highest for the patients seen by the consultants

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Summary

Introduction

Differences in practice between consultant psychiatrists, senior house officers and community psychiatric nurses A retrospective survey to explore how consultant psychiatrists, senior house officers and community psychiatric nurses prioritised referrals to four sectorised community mental health teams. Referral outcomes appeared to be comparable for patients with psychoses, sub-threshold mental health problems and personality disorders.

Results
Conclusion

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