Patients at a Psychiatric Walk-in Clinic — Who, How, Why and When

Abstract

In recent years there has been increasing emphasis on community-based psychiatric services. If these facilities are to be comprehensive they must include ways of assessing and managing crises and avoiding unnecessary hospitalisation. One way of meeting these needs is to provide small walk-in clinics in the community. A number of clinics have been established and more are planned. Although clients may refer themselves, access is usually limited to office hours and often only to a few hours each day.