Uncertainty among Scottish psychiatrists over NHS continuing care guidance

• Published in: Psychiatric bulletin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2009-10, Vol.33 (10), p.381-383
• Main Authors: Stevenson, Gary S, Philipson, Agnieszka, McLaren, Gordon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Guidance; Health care; National health services; Psychiatrists; Scotland; Uncertainty
• ISSN: 1758-3209; 0955-6036; 1758-3217; 1472-1473
• DOI: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.022699

AIMS AND METHOD: To examine knowledge among Scottish psychiatrists of the 1996 guidance on National Health Service (NHS) responsibility for continuing healthcare, a postal questionnaire was devised and sent to the 132 consultants and specialist registrars in the South-East Scotland Deanery in May 2007. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the clinicians (67%, n = 88) responded, 88% of whom had in-patient responsibilities. Only 24% responded positively to an awareness of the current Scottish guidance. There was a strong association between awareness of the guidance and psychiatric specialty, and greater awareness among clinicians with previous experience of a relevant complaint or appeal. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Uncertainty about NHS continuing healthcare guidance among practising psychiatrists suggests a need for increased awareness of the issues, with training implications for the new guidance on NHS continuing healthcare in Scotland which became effective in February 2008. Adapted from the source document.