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General Practitioner Referrals To an Ambulatory Psychiatric Service. the Effects of Establishing an Ease of Access Service

Author

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  • A.P. Boardman

    (Lecturer in Psychiatry, National Unit for Psychiatric Research and Development, Lewisham Hospital, and Honorary Senior Registrar, Division of Psychiatry, UMDS, Guy's Hospital)

  • N. Bouras

    (Division of Psychiatry, United Medical and Dental Schools, Guys Hospital)

  • T.K.J. Craig

    (Division of Psychiatry, UMDS, Guy's Hospital)

Abstract

The effects of establishing an ease of access 'walk-in' service on General Practitioner referrals to the ambulatory services of a catchment area psychiatric service are outlined. The characteristics of the patients referred are described. GPs made immediate and sustained use of the walk-in service and its creation expanded use of the ambulatory services by an overall 50%. Individual GPs were found to use the ambulatory services disproportionately and to discriminate between their use of the walk-in service and the coexisting traditionally run outpatient clinic. The walk-in ser vice also allowed patients to refer themselves; a policy which did not result in a flood of inappropriate referrals but enabled patients, already familiar with the service, to re-establish contact in times of distress. The findings are discussed in terms of the current growth of Community Mental Health Centres in the United Kingdom and their implications for GP/Psychiatric Service liaison.

Suggested Citation

  • A.P. Boardman & N. Bouras & T.K.J. Craig, 1988. "General Practitioner Referrals To an Ambulatory Psychiatric Service. the Effects of Establishing an Ease of Access Service," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 34(3), pages 172-183, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:34:y:1988:i:3:p:172-183
    DOI: 10.1177/002076408803400302
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