Review of Admissions to Local Division, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Between June 2017-June 2022

AIMS: The aim of the study is to investigate if a trend in admissions to wards within Local Division in Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has been evident over the past five years and hypothesise rationale for this. METHODS: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has collated information on admissions to wards within their Local Division from June 2017 to June 2022. These data were reviewed and analysed. We considered contributory reasons for any trends in admissions, for example, establishment of the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team (CRHTT) in 2017 and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. We also reviewed the number of assaults over this period, to see if a trend was evident. RESULTS: There has been a downward trend in the total number of admissions to wards within Local Division. The average total number of monthly admissions pre establishment of the CRHTT was 186, which declines to 133 when the service was functioning. For general adult admissions, the average number of monthly admissions pre commencement of the CRHTT was 160, which reduced to 118 after implementation of the CRHTT, a 26.3% reduction. For old age admissions, the average number of monthly admissions was 25, which reduced to 19 after implementation of the CRHTT, a 24% reduction. At the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, the average number of admissions dropped to 124, and 80% of results fell below the trendline. There was a less significant reduction in old age admissions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, perhaps reflecting less family support during lockdown periods, reduced access to carers and less input from the community mental health team in care homes; all of which could increase the need for older adults to be admitted to inpatient mental health beds. The number of assaults across wards within Local Division increased significantly from 602 in 2017 to 1527 in 2021. This suggests there is perhaps a higher threshold to admit patients, with more significant risk profiles. CONCLUSION: A downward trend in admissions to Local Division within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has been evident since 2017. There are a several factors that could have contributed to this, including commencement of the CRHTT and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The significant increase in the number of assaults, may also suggest there is now a higher threshold to admit patients, with more significant risk profiles.