The case-notes of all the 92 patients compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act from 1st October 1982 - 31st December 1983 were examined retrospectively to deter mine the reasons for transfer to a high Security Unit. Young adult male schizophrenics who were unemployed predominated. Aggressive behaviour was associated with transfer but there was no such relationship with formal diagnosis. Lack of co-operation of the patient was seen more frequently in ethnic minority patients and may be a factor in influencing a trend towards ethnic minority patients being over populated on the unit. The reasons and implications of these findings are discussed.
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