Presenting the case for acute mental health wards.
This article seeks to provide a counterbalance to the received wisdom about the inefficacy of acute mental health wards. It examines the role of acute wards in the context of changes in national policy and service provision. While making it clear that current criticisms of acute wards have to be acknowledged and acted upon, it suggests ways in which these wards can still provide a valuable service. Acute mental health wards are receiving increased attention and will soon be the subject of several government initiatives to help improve them. The article briefly examines safety, containment, environment and therapeutic work, and suggests how the status and function of acute wards could be enhanced.
Barre
Trevor
T
Brent Mental Health Services, Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust.
Evans
Roger
R
D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D006113:United Kingdom