The experience of psychiatric rehabilitation in the wake of ward closure

This thesis is presented in three parts. Part one is a review of the literature concerning deinstitutionalisation and the move towards psychiatric care in the community. Studies evaluating the outcomes of psychiatric patients discharged from hospital to community services are discussed. Part two presents a qualitative empirical study which explores the experiences of psychiatric patients in a rehabilitation ward, and the views of staff who work there. The understanding of the rehabilitation process is explored as is the impact of reprovision as a result of ward closure. Part three presents a critical appraisal of the empirical paper, reflecting on theoretical and methodological issues that were raised during the research