Physical Health Assessment of inpatients on Lewisham Triage Ward

Morbidity and mortality due to physical illness is more common in patients with mental illness. In addition, when mentally ill patients are admitted to psychiatric inpatient units, physical illnesses are often not diagnosed, leading to further potential morbidity and mortality. Physical conditions represent the majority of excess deaths. Cardiovascular disease was the main cause particularly for patients with schizophrenia (32% males, 46% females), other psychoses (33% males, 41% females) and neurotic disorders (38% males, 38% females).