Most studies into autistic disorder have concentrated on children. This study aims to establish a prevalence rate of autistic disorders in an adult population with learning disabilities. Adults accessing learning disability services were diagnosed as having an autistic disorder by a two-stage process. The first stage was screening using the Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Mental Retardation Scale and then those identified by screening were diagnosed clinically.

An overall population rate of 7.7/10 000 for autistic disorder was obtained, which is a prevalence rate of 30% in those with learning disability. The prevalence rate was higher in intensive service settings.

Specific funding and interventions need to be targeted for the treatment of autistic disorders.

A postal questionnaire was sent to 100 Section 12 (2) approved consultant psychiatrists in the West Midlands to ascertain their perceptions of the role of general psychiatric services in the care of imprisoned patients with mental disorder previously cared for by generic services.

Of 59 respondents 90% believed they could contribute to the care of imprisoned patients with mental disorders. Ten per cent would delegate total responsibility to specialist forensic services. Lack of awareness of imprisonment of patients was a common problem.

Insufficient liaison between prison and general psychiatric services may impede the provision of psychiatric care in prison and prevent discharge planning in line with the Care Programme Approach and current Government guidelines.

To evaluate psychiatric training in one deanery following a programme of site visits, interviews with trainers and trainees, reports, and recommendations. To assess the findings in the context of NHS training requirements. Information was collected by semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys.

Forty-three sites were visited, training is generally of a high standard and most trainees are satisfied with their posts. There are significant problems in delivering sufficient community experience to general practice trainees and deficits in availability of multi-professional training programmes.

College tutors should work to ensure that trainees have access to shared learning occasions with non-medical health professionals to meet the NHS training agenda.

To study the presentation, assessment and management of all patients attending St Thomas' accident and emergency (A&E) department with overt mental health problems. The method included a pragmatic definition of ‘overt mental health problems' and a range of strategies to maximise case ascertainment.

The department saw 565 presentations in a 3-month period. Patients were predominantly young, male, single, unemployed, housed outside the area served by the local primary care group and presented outside normal working hours.

This study confirms that A&E departments may be the most frequently used setting for urgent mental health assessments in central London. The patients attending differ from those using community mental health teams. It is argued that mental health liaison services based in inner-city A&E departments should be developed.

My topic is the problem of drawing from psychiatry for a fiction writer. This is a subject on which I am eminently well-qualified to speak. I have written five novels and a short-story collection, all of which have dealt with minds in disorder. Two of my novels – one called Spider, the other Asylum – have been focused centrally on psychiatry and psychiatric illness, so it is about the writing of these two novels that I want to talk today.

This paper describes a project to make all the patient letters held on secretaries' computers available 24-hours a day to improve patient care and risk management. Following a system audit a solution using existing resources was constructed.

The implementation of a uniform coherent patient letter naming and filing convention (the CLinically Useful Enquiry System) allowing rapid access to letters to support effective care without massive cost or disruption.

This process can be quickly, simply and cheaply replicated in any organisation with a network supporting e-mail and has the additional benefit of making transition to a future paperless system fast and economical.

There is a need for multi-disciplinary input into the diagnosis and management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We describe the development of a multi-professional integrated care pathway incorporating education, community paediatrics, child and adolescent mental health services and general practice.

Using parent-held documentation this pathway forms the bass of a community-based ADHD clinic.

A training programme for schools and health professionals raises awareness of the features of ADHD and covers appropriate management within schools.