Open access community support groups for people with personality disorder: attendance and impact on use of other services

Abstract

Aims and method To describe a new open access community service for people with personality disorder and to explore interim service utilisation and outcomes. Routine data were analysed together with those from a cross-sectional survey. Results During the first 16 months of the service, 171 people attended, of whom 142 (83.0%) returned on at least one other occasion. The median number of attendances was seven (IQR = 3.0–22.0). Over 90% of responders to the survey met criteria for ‘probable personality disorder’ and levels of social dysfunction were high. Presentations to emergency services, contacts with other services and in-patient admissions were reduced. Social functioning improved. Clinical implications This service attracted a large number of people with significant health and social problems. Use of the service was associated with improved social functioning and reduced use of other services.