Patient outcomes in an Australian low secure forensic psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient unit: a 10-year retrospective study

The aim of this study is to investigate the background and discharge outcomes of the forensic patient population rehabilitated through a low secure forensic psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient unit. Currently within Australia and internationally there is a scarcity of research completed within this setting. A quantitative methodology was selected coupled with descriptive statistics to investigate a total of 23 patients and analyse their demographics, historical information, length of stay and post-discharge outcomes including readmission and breach of forensic orders. This study provides insights into this unique patient group and further clarifies their psychiatric treatment and biopsychosocial needs. A significant variance was found within patient length of stay throughout each stage of the forensic system. Low rates of readmissions and breaches of forensic orders were found. Additional research is needed in this low secure psychiatric rehabilitation setting to clarify the forensic pathways of care and needs amongst this cohort.