Abstract
This paper reports the results of the measurement of the effects of planned changes on the therapeutic environment provided by a hospital ward for the long-term mentally ill. Using the Ward Atmosphere Scale, the ward was initially observed to have a sub-optimal profile on all dimensions (relationships, treatment and system maintenance). A year after the implementation of a therapeutic rehabilitation programme, the ward profile was far closer to that tentatively described as desirable in the literature for this patient group; these changes were maintained over the next two years. There is a paucity of research in this area, partly as a result of methodological problems. However, this study demonstrates that a treatment environment can be rendered more therapeutic, and points to the need for more focused research on the relationship between treatment environment and outcome in long-term mental illness.
Published Version
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