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The Bentham Unit: A pilot remand and assessment service for male mentally disordered remand prisoners

I: Clinical activity in the first year, and related ethical, practical and funding issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Kevin Murray ,
Akintunde Akinkunmi ,
Martin Lock  and
Rosslyn Brown
Kevin Murray*
Affiliation:
The Bentham Unit, West London Healthcare NHS Trust, Southall, Middlesex
Akintunde Akinkunmi
Affiliation:
The Bentham Unit, West London Healthcare NHS Trust, Southall, Middlesex
Martin Lock
Affiliation:
The Bentham Unit, West London Healthcare NHS Trust, Southall, Middlesex
Rosslyn Brown
Affiliation:
The Bentham Unit, West London Healthcare NHS Trust, Southall, Middlesex
*
Dr Kevin Murray. The Bentham Unit. North West Thames Forensic Psychiatry Service, West London Healthcare NHS Trust. Uxbridge Road. Southall. Middlesex UBI 3EU
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Abstract

Background

Because of continuing concern regarding the inadequacy of existing NHS provision for mentally disordered remand prisoners, the Bentham Unit was commissioned as a pilot project to provide rapid assessment and, where appropriate, hospital admission for such prisoners from the former North West Thames catchment area.

Method

Information is presented on the 150 referrals and 62 admissions in the first year of the service's operation.

Results

The service met the Reed Report targets for assessment time. Most of those referred were previously known to psychiatric services. The alleged offences were more serious than anticipated. Those admitted were transferred to appropriate services of the conclusion of their court cases, and remained in contact with services three months later. Waiting for the conclusion of court proceedings significantly prolonged the length of stay. Substantial cost transfers from the criminal justice system to the health system were evident.

Conclusions

Adequate services for mentally disordered remand prisoners are entirely achievable; provision of such services is a resource issue, not a clinical problem.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 5 , May 1997 , pp. 456 - 461
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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