Alternatives to standard acute in-patient care in England: readmissions, service use and cost after discharge

Background Residential alternatives to standard psychiatric admissions are associated with shorter lengths of stay, but little is known about the impact on readmissions. Aims To explore readmissions, use of community mental health services and costs after discharge from alternative and standard services. Method Data on use of hospital and community mental health services were collected from clinical records for participants in six alternative and six standard services for 12 months from the date of index admission. Results After discharge, the mean number and length of readmissions, use of community mental health services and costs did not differ significantly between standard and alternative services. Cost of index admission and total 12-month cost per participant were significantly higher for standard services. Conclusions Shorter lengths of stay in residential alternatives are not associated with greater frequency or length of readmissions or greater use of community mental health services after discharge.