The National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommended that mental health service users diagnosed with schizophrenia should be provided with a wider range of therapy and medication on the National Health Service. (This was the first fully commissioned clinical guideline issued by NICE.)
Source: Schizophrenia: Core interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in primary and secondary care, Clinical Guideline 1, National Institute for Clinical Excellence/National Health Service (0870 1555 455)
Links: Guideline (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A study explored the experience of acute discharge for people in Scotland who had spent between a week and six months as a psychiatric in-patient. The findings pointed to a need for ward based discharge co-ordinators who would contribute to the development of an 'integrated care pathway' for people identified as requiring a range of inputs in order to sustain community placement.
Source: Lucy Simons, Alison Petch and Richard Caplan, 'Don't They Call it Seamless Care?': A Study of Acute Psychiatric Discharge, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Summary (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
A report made recommendations about how services should be provided and commissioned for the acute care of young people with serious mental illness.
Source: Acute In-patient Psychiatric Care for Young People with Severe Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists (020 7235 2351)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Nov
The number of detentions in England under the 1983 Mental Health Act (and other legislation) increased marginally to 47,700 in 2001-02, from 47,500 in 2000-01. Campaigners highlighted the 40 per cent increase in detention rates for men since 1991-92, arguing that it reflects poor care in the early stages of illness.
Source: In-patients Formally Detained in Hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other Legislation, England: 1991-92 to 2001-02, Statistical Bulletin 2002/26, Department of Health (020 7972 5581) | Press release 27.11.02, Rethink (formerly National Schizophrenia Fellowship) (020 7330 9100)
Links: Bulletin (pdf) | DH press release | Rethink press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/2, Digest 118, paragraph 2.5
Date: 2002-Nov
A new book argued that mental health services are held back by a serious shortage of resources and a culture of defensive practice caused by misplaced beliefs about how to secure public safety.
Source: Jeremy Laurance, Pure Madness: How fear drives the mental health system, Routledge (020 7583 9855)
Links: King's Fund press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The General Medical Council expressed concern over provisions in the draft Mental Health Bill: in particular that both mental disorder and treatment are only loosely defined, so that some people for whom compulsory detention and/or treatment might not be appropriate could be caught by its provisions; and about the scope of the powers to continue to detain, against the recommendation of the clinical supervisor, people with mental disorder who have been convicted of an offence.
Source: Letters to Secretary of State for Health, 16.9.02 and 2.10.02, General Medical Council (020 7915 3507)
Links: Text of letters | Consultation Document (pdf) | Draft Bill (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A report made recommendations for improving mental health services for minority ethnic elders.
Source: Yong Lock Ong, Psychiatric Services for Black and Minority Ethnic Elders, Royal College of Psychiatrists (020 7235 2351)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
A body representing over 50 mental health organisations attacked the draft Mental Health Bill as 'flawed, unworkable and unethical'.
Source: Mental Health Alliance Response to the Consultation on Proposed Mental Health Act Reforms, Mental Health Alliance, c/o Mind (020 8221 9666)
Links: Response (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
A Mental Health Bill will provide new procedures in Scotland for compulsory care and treatment, a new mental health tribunal, stronger duties on local authorities to provide care and support services, and new rights for mental health service users.
Source: Mental Health (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Text of Bill | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 2.7
Date: 2002-Sep
An article discussed methods for improving the recognition and treatment of depression in primary care.
Source: 'Improving the recognition and management of depression in primary care', Effective Health Care Bulletin, Volume 7, NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination/University of York (01904 433648)
Links: Article (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
A report set out arrangements for the devolution of performance management of high security psychiatric services to Strategic Health Authorities, and revised commissioning arrangements.
Source: New Arrangements for the Performance Management and Commissioning of High Security Psychiatric Services, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 2.7
Date: 2002-Aug
At least 100,000 women suffer postnatal depression each year, but only a quarter will be correctly diagnosed and fewer still will get effective treatment, according to a report from a market analysis company.
Source: The Guardian, 28.8.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Aug
At least 100,000 women suffer postnatal depression each year, but only a quarter will be correctly diagnosed and fewer still will get effective treatment, according to a report from a market analysis company.
Source: The Guardian, 28.8.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Aug
A new guide provided an overview of information and existing practice for those involved in assessing the social care needs of older people with mental health problems.
Source: Best Practice Guide: Assessing the Mental Health Needs of Older People, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: SCIE press release
Date: 2002-Aug
A new guide provided an overview of information and existing practice for those involved in assessing the social care needs of older people with mental health problems.
Source: Best Practice Guide: Assessing the Mental Health Needs of Older People, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: SCIE press release
Date: 2002-Aug
A report set out arrangements for the devolution of performance management of high security psychiatric services to Strategic Health Authorities, and revised commissioning arrangements.
Source: New Arrangements for the Performance Management and Commissioning of High Security Psychiatric Services, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 2.7
Date: 2002-Aug
A report argued that there is a need for a system of early mental health assessment and intervention for looked-after children and young people, including those who go on to be adopted.
Source: The Mental Health of Looked-After Children, Mental Health Foundation (020 7802 0300)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Aug
A consultation document set out a national strategy for mental health services in England for people of all ages who are deaf or deafblind.
Source: A Sign of the Times: Modernising Mental Health Services for People who are Deaf, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Jul
Black people mistrust and fear mental health services, seeing them as the 'last resort', while professionals and the police are wary of and also fear black service users, according to a report.
Source: Breaking the Circles of Fear, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (020 7827 8352)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 8.6
Date: 2002-Jul
An official review identified a lack of charitable and other funding organisations with an interest in supporting research in mental health.
Source: Strategic Reviews of Research & Development - Mental Health Main Report, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
Many older people in Wales do not get the appropriate level of mental health care, an audit report said.
Source: Losing Time: Developing Mental Health Services for Older People in Wales, Audit Commission in Wales (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report (Welsh) (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.4)
Date: 2002-Jun
A research report examined alternative funding distribution formulae for mental health social services.
Source: MSA Ferndale Consulting Ltd., A Study to Identify Determinants of Variation in Demand for Mental Health Social Services in England with Implications for Equitable Funding, County Councils Network/Local Government Association (020 7664 3011)
Links: Report (Word file)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 2.7)
Date: 2002-Jun