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A cross-sectional evaluation of a community-orientated mental health service

St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT

Andrew Cole, Consultant Psychiatrist

The Grange, Grange Avenue, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9PN

Professor Jan Scott^*

University Department of Psychiatry, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP

^* Correspondence

Community mental health services have been criticised for seeing those with minor psychiatric disorders at the expense of those with severe and long-term illness. We report a cross-sectional evaluation of a UK service based entirely within the community. Most patients in contact with the service (66%) had a psychotic disorder or an affective disorder. Patients with greater impairment were likely to receive more intensive treatment. Only 20% of the community psychiatric nurse (CPN) case load focused on acute distress and neurotic disorders. Within this service careful operational planning and maintaining CPNs within the secondary care system appear to be critical factors in achieving the goal of giving priority to the severely mentally ill.