PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Christina R. Victor
TI  - End of an experiment: report from an inner city community hospital
DP  - 1988 Sep 01
TA  - The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
PG  - 407--410
VI  - 38
IP  - 314
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/38/314/407.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/38/314/407.full
SO  - J R Coll Gen Pract1988 Sep 01; 38
AB  - Community hospitals are associated with the provision of health care in rural rather than urban areas. However, the urban community hospital can reduce the pressure on acute hospitals and decrease the isolation of community health workers. In 1982 a community hospital was established in an inner London health district. This paper examines the role and function of this hospital over a oneyear period in 1986-87 and makes comparisons with the hospital's first two years of operation. The problems identified in the initial evaluation, such as low bed occupancy and the limited participation by general practitioners in the area, were still present. It was found that there had been a decrease in the number of patients treated for musculoskeletal, nervous system and respiratory problems but an increase in circulatory disorders and injuries or poisoning. There was also a marked decrease in the percentage of acute admissions but an increase in admissions for convalescence, rehabilitation and carer relief. Following a severe financial crisis in the health district the hospital was closed temporarily in November 1987.