The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Individuals with a Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder

This study investigated the discharge practice of a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) by examining records (electronic and file) of clients discharged between April 2005 and March 2006. Out of a total of 211 discharged clients a random sample of 20 clients was selected to examine the extent to which records and reasons for discharge adhere to current CMHT policies and guidelines. In addition, a sample of clients who had been engaged by the CMHT for 6 months or less was compared to a sample of clients who have been engaged for 1 year or longer to establish whether these differed in sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses and extent of service provision. The majority of clients discharged during the specified period consisted of clients engaged for 6 months or less. The sampling process revealed that a proportion of these included clients seen for one-off assessments or duty calls, indicating that there is room for improvement to clarify referral criteria (e.g. to GPs) and the role of the CMHT. Similarly, the examination of recording practice also revealed room for improvement in the closing of care packages electronically and inclusion of required information in discharge letters. Almost 50% of clients in the sample were discharged following a decline of any further intervention the reasons for which it will be important to investigate in the form of an audit or survey of service user’s views. Clients engaged for 6 months or less and 1 year or longer seemed to differ mostly in terms of employment rates, diagnosis and previous inpatient admission and mental health act sections. The findings are discussed in relation to the limitations of this study, implications for the service and further research.