Admissions to the Western Australian state forensic hospital from court on hospital orders over a 10-year period from 2007 to 2016

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate trends in admissions to the state forensic hospital (Western Australia (WA)) from court on hospital orders from 2007 to 2016.

Method:

A retrospective survey was undertaken. Demographic, clinical and legal data were obtained from hospital records. Hospital orders referred on less serious charges or without a primary diagnosis of major mental illness were identified as ‘non-forensic’.

Results:

There were 890 hospital orders representing 40% of total admissions. Eighty-one per cent were male and 50% had a diagnosis of schizophrenia; 22% were Indigenous; 421 (47%) were admitted on less serious (non-Schedule 1) charges; 199 (22%) did not have a primary diagnosis of a major mental illness recorded on the discharge summary; 82 (9%) had neither major mental illness nor serious charges. Overall, 539 hospital orders (60%) were identified as non-forensic; 243 (45%) of these were made with no input from the Court Liaison Service (CLS).

Conclusions:

Hospital orders make up a significant proportion of admissions to the forensic unit in WA. Many do not require secure forensic care. Developing alternative diversion pathways is essential.