Special care wards: are they special?

Abstract

Over the past four years I have visited a number of special care wards (also known as locked/intensive care/secure wards) and interviewed many staff and patients, both as a Mental Health Act Commissioner and as a second opinion appointed doctor. It has been suggested to me that my observations may be of some interest. The points are not exhaustive nor are they research based. Before continuing I must also declare that I have no special knowledge or expertise in the care or treatment of patients in this setting.