Parnell R W, Cross K W, Wall M
Br Med J. 1968 Dec 21;4(5633):763-5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5633.763.
Recent changes in the age structure of the mental hospital population in the Birmingham Region are first examined. The proportion of patients aged 65 and over of the total in residence has steadily increased and at the end of 1967 was 43%, and more than half the female patients are now in this age group.Admissions of elderly persons to both psychiatric and general hospitals have increased, and these hospitals have responded to the increased demand on their services by increasing bed-turnover rates. During 1967 on average one-fifth of all patients occupying beds for acute cases (excluding maternity) were 65 years of age or over.In the geriatric hospital service, on the other hand, accommodation per head of the population decreased between 1961 and 1967, as did the total annual number of admissions and the rate of turnover. This suggests that the geriatric service is overstretched and that it is under-organized, understaffed, or undercapitalized-possibly all three. The enforced expedient of admitting "excess" elderly patients to mental hospitals does not recommend itself.
首先考察了伯明翰地区精神病院住院患者年龄结构最近的变化情况。65岁及以上患者占住院总人数的比例稳步上升，到1967年底达到43%，现在超过半数的女性患者属于这个年龄组。老年患者入住精神病院和综合医院的人数都有所增加，这些医院通过提高病床周转率来应对对其服务不断增加的需求。1967年期间，平均五分之一占用急症病床（不包括产科病床）的患者年龄在65岁及以上。另一方面，在老年医院服务方面，1961年至1967年间人均床位减少，年度入院总人数和周转率也下降。这表明老年医院服务过度紧张，且组织不力、人员不足或资金不足，可能这三方面的问题都存在。将“多余的”老年患者强行收治到精神病院这种权宜之计不可取。
