A retrospective case note review was undertaken of all admissions to the State Hospital under an Interim Hospital Order between 1985 and 1994 (n=73). This represented 89 per cent of all Interim Orders made by the Scottish courts during this time period. Thirty-one per cent of patients received a non hospital disposal at the end of the assessment. Seventy-eight per cent of the interim hospital orders were for a period of three months of less. The demographic, illness and offence backgrounds of the group is presented. In addition, the outcome of the assessment is discussed in the light of current legislative changes.
KaulA. (1994) Interim Hospital Order - a Regional Secure Unit Experience. Med. Sci. Law34, 233–6.
3.
MunroM.A.FraserK.A. (1988) New Provisions for Mentally Disordered Offenders: The Use of Sections 35, 36 and 38 in Two Regional Secure Units. Med. Sci. Law28, 227–32.
4.
The Committee on Mentally Abnormal Offenders (The Butler Committee) (1975), Report, London: HMSO.
