Social deprivation amongst short stay psychiatric patients.

Two samples of newly admitted psychiatric patients were examined. Of 558 patients admitted during one year, 76 (13.7 per cent) came in from transitory accommodation or no fixed abode; of 456 patients discharged 131 (28.7 per cent) either changed address during their stay in hospital or left without known accommodation. Of 102 patients in the wards and day hospital on one day, 29 (28.4 per cent) came in from transitory accommodation or no fixed abode, 66 (64.7 per cent) were unemployed, 51 (50 per cent) were living alone. Of the 74 inpatients 30 (40.5 per cent) were homeless and 27 (36.5 per cent) had no visitors. These results indicate that many patients have lost their community supports by the time they reach hospital.