Physical dependency and dementia in nhs continuing care wards and contracted nhs beds in voluntary nursing homes

Abstract

SUMMARYAll patients in hospital based and voluntary nursing home based National Health Service (NHS) continuing care geriatric beds in one London Health District were screened for psychiatric morbidity and physical dependency. They were followed-up at one year. Patients in hospital based continuing care beds had more severe dementia and physical dependency and higher mortality rates than those in voluntary nursing home based NHS continuing care beds. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of governmental policy to encourage growth of private and voluntary sector nursing homes.