Compulsory admissions in a London borough: II. Circumstances surrounding admission: service implications

Synopsis The circumstances immediately surrounding compulsory admissions are examined. These circumstances can be seen largely to derive from the long-term psychiatric and social difficulties of patients described in Part I. A constellation of factors is identified which often limits any alternative to a compulsory admission. A number of recommendations are made based on these findings which are designed to diminish the need for compulsion in the future.