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Survey of community mental health teams

Research Unit in Health and Behavioural Change, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh

Simon Naji, Programme Director^* and Jill Mollison, Statistician

Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Drew Kay Wing, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD

^* Correspondence

Aims and method The aim of the study was to describe community mental health teams (CMHTs) working in Scotland. Interviews, a focus group, and a postal questionnaire survey of identified CMHTs were carried out.

Results Of the 53 teams identified, 42 (79%) completed questionnaires. The average team size was 11 people. Community psychiatric nurses were in all teams, social workers and psychiatrists were in most, but psychologists were in only half. Needs assessments occurred in only 17% of teams. Fifty-one per cent of teams had open referral systems, and 38% of referrals comprised people with long-term mental health problems. Fifteen per cent of referrals were considered by teams to be inappropriate.

Clinical implications Ambiguities about appropriate structures, patient groups and interprofessional and inter-agency working require further consideration and evaluation if CMHT care is to be optimally effective.

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