Closure of large psychiatric hospitals in England: evaluation by the TAPS project--a review of the literature
Becker, T.
Psychiatrische Praxis 22(2): 50-54
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-4259 PMID: 7761538 Document Number: 453647
The TAPS study evaluates the closure of two Greater London mental hospitals. Beginning in 1985, one-year and five-year follow-up compared successive cohorts of long-stay patients discharged to the community (leavers) with groups of matched long-stay patients who stayed in hospital. Some psychopathological symptoms improved in discharged patients, some did not. Mortality, patient vagrancy and delinquent behaviour did not increase in leavers. Patient autonomy, social networks and patient satisfaction favoured out-patient provision of care as compared to continuing in-patient care.