Deinstitutionalization of Schizophrenic Patients from Tower Hospital : An evaluation of the impact thereof on community psychiatric services

Abstract

Worldwide deficiencies in the institutionalized care of psychiatric patients gave rise to the latest trend, deinstitutionalization, both internationally and in South Africa. In most countries this movement was done with little or no proper planning for continued care in the community. The result was failure to support and sustain these patients in the community. This led to homelessness an increase in crime and constant re-admissions, the revolving door phenomenon. This study examined the impact deinstitutionalization of patients from Tower Hospital had on community psychiatric services. Focus was on what community services were available to these patients after discharge and whether these were utilized. The clinics used were those servicing these patients after discharge. Availability sampling was used. Twelve nurses formed the sample and were given questionnaires to fill in and records were also perused. The results, broadly, showed that the community psychiatric and support services were inadequate for proper rehabilitation of chronic psychiatric patients in the community.