Mental Illness in London: A Horton Profile 1963

¹ Assistant Psychiatrist, Horton Hospital, Epsom, Surrey

A high proportion of patients admitted to Horton are given a diagnosis of schizophrenia and there is a correspondingly high proportion of schizophrenics in the resident population. Many of the patients are relatively young. An unusual proportion of patients are admitted through the courts. The process of discharge is unsatisfactory in nearly one-third of cases. These characteristics arise obviously from the nature of the catchment area which would seem to attract chronic schizophrenics particularly, and illustrate the difficulties of applying an overall national plan to hospitals and areas with unique problems. An adequate plan would make full allowance for variations in local need.

Detailed cross-tabulations are available from the author.