Retrospective evaluation of extended leave of absence in Scotland 1988-94.

Abstract

Abstract Extended leave of absence (ELOA) is defined as leave of absence over 6 months and could be unlimited in Scotland until 1996. Patients have previously been detained under s.18 of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. A retrospective evaluation of use of ELOA was carried out using data held by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland. Records were used to describe reasons for using ELOA, support and service use. Over the period 1988–94 there were 534 people who had at least one episode of ELOA over 6 months and, of these, 250 had at least one episode of ELOA over 12 months. A diagnosis of schizophrenia occurs in 73% of patients. Lack of insight and threat of stopping medication are the most common reasons for using ELOA. Although threat to others is recorded more often than threat to self, self-neglect is recorded more often than either. The outcome of ELOA by year results in 30% of patients being discharged and 23% recalled to hospital. Of the total, 75% receive good support from at least one r...