Year: 2007 Source: British Journal of Psychiatry, v.191, no.1, (July 2007), p.70-74 SIEC No: 20080544

This article describes mortality, rates of reconviction at different periods, violent behaviour not leading to conviction, readmission, & employment after discharge from a medium secure unit in the United Kingdom. Of 595 first admissions over a 20-year period, 550 discharged cases were followed up. Multiple data sources were used. 57 patients had died, 18 by suicide. The risk of death was six times greater than in the general population. Community psychiatric services need to be aware that those discharged from medium secure care are a highly vulnerable group requiring careful follow-up. (16 refs.)