project update title

PURPOSE: AUDIT OF INTENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC CARE UNITS (IPCUS)

As identified in 'Improving the quality of mental health services in Scotland: A strategic work programme 2005-2008', NHS QIS will shortly undertake an audit of Scottish Intensive Psychiatric Care Units.

This commitment was included in our work programme following extensive consultation with stakeholders who stated that it would be useful to review Scottish IPCU provision against the Department of Health's Minimum Standards for General Adult Services in Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) and Low Secure Environments (2002). These standards set out minimum criteria to improve the delivery of psychiatric intensive care and audit effectiveness and to promote research , education and practice development within the specialty. Although not subject to the same legislation as in England and Wales, it is likely these standards are broadly in line with many of the procedures and protocols already in place in Scottish IPCUs.

However, given that there is very little published UK data about what actually happens on IPCU wards, we see the initial stages of our work asking a number of key questions:

  • how many units are there in Scotland?
  • how are they structured and staffed?
  • what is their relationship with other mental health inpatient units? (e.g. medium secure units, and The State Hospital)
  • what referral pathways for admission to and discharge from the units?

With this information we will better be able to decide where to focus the work of the IPCI project steering group (due to commence in September 2008) particularly in relation to the PICU standards. Reporting will take place at both a local and national level with the project due for completion by summer 2010.

updated on 06/08/2008
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