Factors leading to frequent readmission to Valkenberg Hospital for patients suffering from severe mental illnesses

Abstract

This thesis aimed to explore systematic health service problems that are related to frequent readmission of persons suffering from severe mental illnesses to Valkenberg Hospital. Reduction of acute and chronic beds in the Associated Psychiatric Hospitals, Western Cape over the past decade has led to increasing pressure for beds and rapid inpatient turnover, many of these inpatients being "revolving door" patients. Integration of mental health service into general health services, an intrinsic part of the comprehensive primary health care approach in South Africa, is supposed to make mental health care more accessible the public, therefore research into why patients are being frequently readmitted at secondary specialist level is indicated.