The Demand for Psychiatric Beds

Psychiatric Hospitals and Older People: Status Quo or Making Changes?

“…Post, Roth, Cosin, Sam Robinson, Whitehead and Barton demonstrated what could be achieved, but they were a minority. More common was the fear of the 'looming geriatric impasse' (Kingston 1963) and the assumption, based on demographic change and increasing demand, that it would be impossible to prevent overcrowding the hospitals. To achieve widespread active treatment and rehabilitation for older people required: a culture shift among GPs, doctors and other staff in psychiatric and general hospitals; higher expectations by the public of what could be achieved; and support from central government.…”