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Biomedical subjects

Martin Humphreys

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Humphreys.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Possible predictors of outcome for conditionally discharged patients--a preliminary study.

Conditional discharge for restricted hospital order patients is by and large a successful process. The present study aimed to identify variables among a cohort of conditionally discharged patients in the West Midlands that would predict whether an individual was more likely to be readmitted to hospital, involved in a serious incident, to be recalled to hospital or given an absolute discharge. A retrospective case note analysis was undertaken. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables that could predict outcome. Patients were six times more likely to be readmitted to hospital if they misused drugs and nine times more likely if they self-harmed. They were also six and four times more likely to be involved in a serious incident if they misused alcohol and drugs respectively. Patients were five times more likely to be recalled to hospital if they did not have close social support and were four and a half times more likely to get an absolute discharge if they lived in supported accommodation. Conditional discharge is an effective model of community care for restricted hospital order patients. Addressing the problems caused by drug and alcohol misuse, self-harming behaviour, recognising the importance of a close social support network and developing more appropriate housing for these individuals will help make the process more successful.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Forensic community mental health nurses' perceptions of statutory community aftercare: implications for practice.

The key role played by forensic community mental health nurses in statutory community aftercare for mentally disordered offenders in England and Wales has been successful. The nurses often have the most contact with this patient population, yet paradoxically, have not been asked to express their views about the process. The pivotal role undertaken by this professional group appears to be fundamental to the success of statutory aftercare for this patient group.

Aftercare↗
PubMed2003

Multiple contacts with diversion at the point of arrest.

A diversion at the point of arrest (DAPA) scheme was set up in five police stations in South Birmingham in 1992. In a study of all referrals made over a four-year period a sub group of multiple contact individuals was identified. During that time four hundred and ninety-two contacts were recorded in total, of which 130 were made by 58 individuals. The latter group was generally no different from the single contact group but did have a tendency to be younger. This research highlights the need for a re-evaluation of service provision and associated education of police officers and relevant mental health care professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

First ever admission to medium security.

This paper describes the characteristics of a group of patients admitted to a Medium Security Unit over the course of a ten-year period who had never previously had any form of psychiatric inpatient care. We used a computerised data base to gain detailed information. The control group was made up of patients admitted to the same hospital over the study period who had been psychiatric inpatients before but not in medium secure conditions. We found that the patients from the first ever admission group were generally older and that the numbers had increased over the ten-year period. Their average length of stay was shorter. The most common diagnosis for all patients was schizophrenia. The findings suggest that there is a place for secure provision in the treatment of first episode psychosis, especially if the initial contact is through a penal institution.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Psychiatric probation orders: failed provision or future panacea?

The psychiatric probation order has been a sentencing option for the courts for over fifty years. Many authors have lamented its underuse and described the inability of psychiatric and probation services to work together in a collaborative and effective way. The aim of this study was to describe probationers who had passed through Elliott House, a specialist bail and probation hostel for mentally disordered offenders. A retrospective case note review of all individuals who have been resident at Elliott House as a condition of a probation order was conducted. The individuals were mostly young, single men with a severe mental illness and comorbid substance misuse. As a group their previous contact with psychiatric services was irregular. A probation order at Elliott House appeared to provide social support and stability along with a period of regular psychiatric treatment and follow-up. The results suggest that psychiatric probation orders, if properly managed, can be a useful tool for both health and probation services in the short term.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Conditionally discharged restricted patients and the need for long-term medium security.

In the context of a larger investigation of follow-up of a specific group of mentally disordered individuals, the study described here examined the characteristics of all 55 people conditionally discharged for the first time from a medium secure unit in the West Midlands over a 13-year period. A retrospective case note analysis was undertaken. The findings illustrate that these patients are a distinct group. They were mainly single men who had committed a grave offence. The majority had an extensive criminological history with early onset of offending and chronic mental illness. Fifty percent of those with a criminal record had received at least one custodial sentence prior to the index offence. Co-morbid substance misuse was common, as was a history of self-harm. There were high levels of previous contact with psychiatric services and compulsory in-patient treatment. Most were detained under the Mental Health Act category of mental illness. A quarter had been transferred from a special hospital prior to conditional discharge into the community. The characteristics of this sample demonstrate clearly the need for the provision of long-term medium secure facilities and allied services.

Adult↗