A retrospective exploratory cross-sectional comparison of service evaluation outcomes between an Aotearoa and Australian secure youth forensic inpatient mental health service

Aim

To compare demographic characteristics, diagnostic patterns, and discharge outcomes between an Aotearoa (Ngā Taiohi) and an Australian (Austinmer) secure youth forensic inpatient mental health service.

Methods

A retrospective exploratory cross-sectional study of routinely collected service-level data for the first 98 and 113 consecutive admissions to Austinmer and Ngā Taiohi, respectively. De-identified data were compared with descriptive statistics and differences statistically examined.

Results

There was no statistical difference in median age. Ngā Taiohi had a greater proportion of females. There was no significant difference in the rate of personality disorders (18% vs 11%) or psychotic disorders (62% vs 73%) between Ngā Taiohi and Austinmer, respectively. Māori were more likely to have a primary diagnosis of psychotic disorders (71%) compared to NZ Europeans (43%).

Median lengths of stay were not significantly different. Ngā Taiohi patients were more likely to discharge to community care (59%) compared to Austinmer (43%). Readmission rates did not significantly differ between units.

Conclusions

This is the first study comparing youth forensic inpatient mental health services between Aotearoa and Australia, utilising service-level data. Similarities highlighted included age, primary diagnosis and Indigenous overrepresentation. Differences highlighted may reflect variation in terms of clinical service pressures between locations.