The first twelve months of a community support bed unit

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Abstract
The characteristics of clients admitted to a community support bed unit (SBU) serving an isolated, rural community were compared with those of clients from the same sector, admitted to a district general hospital (DGH) unit over the same period. There were few differences In the nature of the problems presenting to the two units, although there were more readmissions to the SBU, and more women tended to be admitted there. These results suggest that although the need for inpatient care remains for some patients, many who are currently admitted to such units can be managed in less institutional settings in the community. A support bed unit may play an important part in offering service users more choice about where and when they received help.