A survey of referrals to a special hospital (Rampton Hospital)

Abstract

The three special hospitals of England and Wales are provided for patients subject to detention on account of their dangerous, violent or criminal properties. Special hospital psychiatrists cannot admit patients directly to hospital – the psychiatrist's recommendations can be overturned by a local admissions panel. A two year retrospective study in Rampton Hospital compared the outcomes of the psychiatrists' recommendations to admit or not to admit, with the decisions of the local admissions panel. There was complete agreement in over 90% of cases. This survey lends support to the view that special hospital psychiatrists could admit patients directly to hospital.