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Professor Johnson states that "the most difficult problems that people with severe mental illnesses face" are "very low rates of employment, poor physical health leading to early deaths, high rates of drug misuse,and pervasive experiences of social isolation and stigma".
One of their most difficult problems is that they have a mental illness and from time to time have acute exacerbations of that illness. Community services can (and usually) do their very best in these situations, but sometimes a break from the home environment and 24 hr support is necessary in order to provide the best care. Even when someone suffering from acute illness is living with a supportive family, admission can be necessary in order to allow their family some respite and well-earned sleep.
Due to bed reductions, admissions for "containment and immediate risk", are much more often to hospitals many miles from the patient's home - sometimes in other cities - which makes passes home, linking up with community services and visits from some families almost impossible.
It has gone too far.
Re: Has the closure of psychiatric beds gone too far? No
Professor Johnson states that "the most difficult problems that people with severe mental illnesses face" are "very low rates of employment, poor physical health leading to early deaths, high rates of drug misuse,and pervasive experiences of social isolation and stigma".
One of their most difficult problems is that they have a mental illness and from time to time have acute exacerbations of that illness. Community services can (and usually) do their very best in these situations, but sometimes a break from the home environment and 24 hr support is necessary in order to provide the best care. Even when someone suffering from acute illness is living with a supportive family, admission can be necessary in order to allow their family some respite and well-earned sleep.
Due to bed reductions, admissions for "containment and immediate risk", are much more often to hospitals many miles from the patient's home - sometimes in other cities - which makes passes home, linking up with community services and visits from some families almost impossible.
It has gone too far.
Competing interests: No competing interests