Moving from long-stay hospitals: the views of Northern Irish patients and relatives.

Roy McConkey, Jayne McConaghie, Felice Mezza, Jennifer Wilson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A cohort of 68 persons had been resettled from a long-stay hospital over a five-year period; with over 90% moving to residential and nursing homes. Interviews were conducted with 39 residents and 34 relatives with information being obtained about 84% of the people resettled. Residents mentioned more things that they liked about their present accommodation than they named about the Hospital and they had fewer dislikes than for the Hospital. Nearly all were happy to have moved. Although a majority of families welcomed the move from the Hospital; a significant minority (26%) had been unhappy at the prospect of the move. After the move all families felt the residence was at least equivalent to the Hospital with over four out of five families rating it as much better than the Hospital. The features families liked best about the present residence were the staff; the homely atmosphere; the buildings and their relative having their own room.The moves had resulted in better material standards of living, increased user satisfaction and greater community involvement. However three shortcoming were noted; the reliance on congregated living models, the failure of people to move on and the dearth of social networks among the residents. Increased awareness of new housing and support options are needed allied with regular reviews of clients needs and aspirations and opportunities for access to independent advocacy services.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)78-93
    JournalJournal of Learning Disabilities
    Volume7
    Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Jul 2003

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