Abstract
Aims and MethodA survey was undertaken to determine the working arrangements of learning disability psychiatrists in Scotland. A questionnaire was sent to each of the 15 NHS providers of learning disabilities services in Scotland. Results were converted to the equivalent of whole time equivalent (WTE) consultant.ResultsThe results showed a wide range in the level of psychiatric staffing throughout services. The median consultant learning disability psychiatrist in Scotland covers a catchment population of 160 000 and works with 0.65 WTE non-consultant career-grade psychiatrists and 0.68 WTE training-grade psychiatrists. They are responsible for a median of 3.7 assessment and treatment beds, no rehabilitation beds, no day hospital places, 23 long-stay beds, 0.6 respite beds and 0.7 forensic beds. At the time of the survey, 15.6% of consultant posts were vacant.Clinical ImplicationsService provision appears to be variable across Scotland. The implications of this may warrant closer scrutiny.
Highlights
The results showed a wide range in the level of psychiatric staffing throughout services.The median consultant learning disability psychiatrist in Scotland covers a catchment population of 160 000 and works with 0.65 whole time equivalent (WTE) non-consultant career-grade psychiatrists and 0.68 WTE training-grade psychiatrists
This paper reports information on the learning disability psychiatric staffing levels and how these relate to catchment populations, bed numbers and other professionals, for all learning disability health services in Scotland
There was a response rate of 100% for this survey, which was achieved partly owing to approaching both the chief executive and lead clinician of each service. It may reflect the current level of interest in learning disability services in Scotland
Summary
A survey was undertaken to determine the working arrangements of learning disability psychiatrists in Scotland. Results were converted to the equivalent of whole time equivalent (WTE) consultant
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