To describe the characteristics of patients admitted over one year to two psychiatric intensive care units in one large mental health trust. To establish the number of admissions, reasons for admission, incidents on the PICU, bed days and destination after discharge. Differences in gender for these factors were explored. Secondary questions were whether patient factors predicted aggressive incidents or predicted requiring long term care.

The electronic notes for one year of admissions to the PICUs in one trust were examined; sociodemographic and clinical details were recorded. Reasons for admission and incidents on the PICU were coded. Data was analysed to establish significant sociodemographic or clinical differences within the cohort.

Men were much more likely to require PICU but women stayed longer. There was a trend for women to go on to long term secure placement. Aggression and sexually inappropriate behaviour were common but there were no demographic predictors of aggression. The only predictor of requiring long term placement was having been a long time on the PICU.

There is evidence that women and men use the PICU differently, with women staying longer. Further research is needed to see if this is a national trend.