A Further 12‐Month Study of Violent Incidents Within a Medium Secure Psychiatric Unit (and a Comparison with the Previous 12 Months)

Abstract

Records of violent incidents were retrospectively analysed to identify trends associated with violent incidents within an NHS medium secure psychiatric unit. Over a 12‐month period, 116 incident forms related to 112 incidents. These incidents were compared with a study from the previous 12 months within the same unit. Both studies were based upon work from within a high‐security setting (Caldwell and Naismith, 1989). There was a significant reduction in the overall number of violent incidents.The majority of incidents continued to occur within the intensive care admission unit. There continued to be a higher incidence of assaultive behaviour throughout the afternoon and evening. Seasonal variations demonstrates a reduction of incidents throughout the autumn and winter months compared with the previous year, and a significant change in the number of incidents that occurred during the summer.There remain opportunities for comparison with other secure units and further refinement of the methodology.

Citation

Green, B. and Robinson, L. (2001), "A Further 12‐Month Study of Violent Incidents Within a Medium Secure Psychiatric Unit (and a Comparison with the Previous 12 Months)", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 13-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636646200100016