THE IMPACT OF A NEW COMMUNITY MENTAL-HEALTH TEAM ON AN INNER-CITY PSYCHOGERIATRIC SERVICE

The introduction of a multidisciplinary mental health team for the elderly, providing comprehensive assessment and support for elderly people with mental health problems in an area of inner London, has represented a major change in the way in which psychogeriatric referrals are dealt with locally. The new service replaced a traditional hospital‐based system with a consultant making domiciliary visits. Characteristics of 109 referrals to the consultantbased service over six months are compared to 193 referrals over a similar period following the introduction of the team. Demographic patterns in both groups were similar, as were diagnoses made, with the exception of acute organic confusional states of which a slightly larger proportion were seen under the old service. More detailed assessment of cases and more input both to cases and their carers were possible with a community team. The implications of a community team based service for psychogeriatrics are discussed. Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.