Drayton Park, an alternative to hospital admission for women in acute mental health crisis

Abstract

Aims and MethodTo describe Drayton Park, the first women-only residential mental health crisis facility in the UK and to investigate whether it is succeeding in its remit of providing a viable alternative to hospital admission. We randomly selected case files from 100 women admitted to Drayton Park since its opening and examined variables including demographic details, the reasons for referral, diagnosis and the source of referral.ResultsOur findings show that the service is able to respond quickly to referrals and appears to be functioning safely. The women admitted have a relatively short length of stay, half suffer from depressive episodes and one-third have a relapse of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.Clinical ImplicationsThis project appears to be succeeding in providing a safe alternative to hospital admission for women with severe and enduring mental health problems.

Home Treatment as an Alternative to Hospital Admission for Mothers in a Mental Health Crisis: A Qualitative Study

“…High levels of deprivation give this area one of the highest estimated levels of psychiatric morbidity in the United Kingdom (17). In these two boroughs patients presenting with a mental health crisis severe enough to require hospital admission can be treated in one of three settings: at home (by one of four CRTs), in a hospital, or at a crisis house for women only (18). The latter can accommodate 12 women and up to four children for up to four weeks.…”

Mental health service provision in England

“…Most women who use this facility have a previous history of admission to psychiatric hospital and appear to be managed safely at this house (5). These are non-hospital facilities which admit patients in crisis and are staed 24 h a day.…”

Acute in-patient psychiatry: residential alternatives to hospital admission

“…In the UK, investigation of the Drayton Park women's crisis house in Islington, a 24-hour staffed crisis house for women, suggested that most women managed at the house had a previous history of hospital admission, and that it was highly valued by service users (Killaspy et al, 2000;Johnson et al, 2004). They reported that their recovery was promoted by a home-like environment, absence of disturbed male patients, ready availability of staff for talking through current and past difficulties, and good support from other residents.…”