Search results

Building the Right Support, a national plan for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in England aims to avoid lengthy stays in hospital for such people. Discharge planning is understood to be helpful in facilitating successful transition from hospital to community services, however, there is little guidance available to help those working with detained patients with ID and offending histories to consider how to affect safe and effective discharges. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In this paper, the development and implementation of a multi-faceted and systemic approach to discharge preparation and planning is described. The impact of this intervention on a range of outcomes was assessed and the views of stakeholders on the process were sought.

Initial outcome data provide support for the effectiveness of this intervention in terms of increased rates of discharge, reduced lengths of stay and low readmission rates. Stakeholders viewed the intervention as positive and beneficial in achieving timely discharge and effective post-discharge support.

People with ID are more likely to be detained in hospital and spend more time in hospital following admission. A planned, coordinated and well managed approach to discharge planning can be helpful in facilitating timely and successful discharges with low risks of readmission.

This is the first attempt to describe and evaluate a discharge planning intervention for detained offenders with ID. The intervention described appears to be a promising approach but further evaluation across a range of service settings is required.

Progress, at least, has been discernible in public library matters since we wrote last in these pages; and although it is too early to expect any results, we can press forward with some assurance. On April 10th the President of the Board of Education received the deputation from London and Extra‐London library authorities which was foreshadowed last month. The speaker was Mr. W. E. Doubleday, of Hampstead, who in his usual cool and incisive way made a clear—if somewhat too localized—case for libraries. The reply of the President was of the traditional variety, non‐committal and pleasant; one of those replies which we believe all ministers are schooled to make before they are allowed to assume office. But of the interest of Mr. Fisher there can be no doubt, and the fact that he has received a deputation with some cordiality is significant.