Absconding from a regional secure unit

Following the ‘open door' policy of the 1950s and 1960s facilities within the National Health Service (NHS) for difficult and dangerous patients were drastically reduced. Regional secure units (RSUs) were introduced to fill this gap in the psychiatric services. It is well recognized that the types of patients admitted to these units have a tendency to abscond. Little work has been done to evaluate how effectively RSUs prevent absconding in this high risk group. This study set out to examine absconding rates in an RSU, the characteristics of the patients who absconded and the circumstances and the outcome of the incidents. Rates were found to be reassuringly low. One hundred per cent of patients were returned to the unit within two days and only two patients offended while away from the hospital. The lessons learned during the six-year period are reviewed and suggestions made for further developments.