Impact of crisis resolution and home treatment services on user experience and admission to psychiatric hospital

Aims and method Crisis resolution and home treatment (CRHT) teams began operating in Edinburgh in late 2008. We ascertained service users' and carers' experiences of CRHTusing a standardised questionnaire. We also assessed the impact of CRHT on psychiatric admissions and readmissions by analysing routinely collected data from November 2003 to November 2009. Results There was a 24% decrease in acute psychiatric admissions in the year after CRHT began operating, whereas the previous 5 years saw an 8% reduction in the admission rate. The mean duration of in-patient stay fell by 6.5 days (22% decrease) in the 12 months following CRHT introduction, alongside a 4% decrease in readmissions and a 17% reduction in Mental Health Act 1983 admissions. Although the mean response rate was low (29%), 93% of patients reported clinical improvement during CRHT care, 27% of patients felt totally recovered at discharge from CRHT, 90% of patients felt safe during CRHT treatment, and 94% of carers said their friend or relative got better with CRHT input. Clinical implications Crisis resolution and home treatment service in Edinburgh had a positive impact during the first 12 months in terms of reduced admissions, reduced duration of in-patient stay and reduced use of the Mental Health Act. The service can catalyse a more efficient use of in-patient care. Service users and carers report high rates of improvement and satisfaction with CRHT.