COVID-19 deaths in a secondary mental health service

• Published in: Comprehensive psychiatry Vol. 111; p. 152277
• Main Authors: Gale, Tim M., Boland, Billy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01.11.2021; Elsevier Limited; The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc; Elsevier
• Subjects: COVID-19; Dementia; Fatalities; HoNOS; Learning disabilities; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mental health care; Old age; Psychiatry; United Kingdom > UK; COVID-19; HoNOS; Psychiatry; Old age; Mental health; Dementia
• ISSN: 0010-440X; 1532-8384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152277

We present data on outcomes associated with COVID-19 in a time-limited sample of 1181 patients who were receiving treatment within secondary care services from a mental health and learning disabilities service provider. Unfortunately, 101 (9%) died after contracting COVID-19, though the real death rate is probably lower due to mild, unreported cases. Those who died were more likely to be male, of older age (75.7 vs. 42.7 yrs) and have a diagnosis of dementia (57% vs. 3.4%). We examined Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) scores as possible predictors for COVID-19 outcomes. Although the deceased group had higher HoNOS scores (17.7 vs. 13.2), the differences disappeared when examining only cases of dementia in 65+ age-group, suggesting that diagnosis is key. There has been little information published about people with severe mental health problems within secondary care. Although our sample is small, it does highlight some important inequalities that would benefit from further research. •A sample of 1181 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in secondary care services from a mental health and learning disability Trust.•101 (9%) died after contracting COVID-19, though the true death rate is probably lower due to mild, unreported cases.•Those who died were more likely to be male, of older age, and have a diagnosis of dementia.•Diagnosis and age appear to be better predictors than HoNOS score.•Although our sample is small, it does highlight some important inequalities that would benefit from further research.