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From inter-agency to multidisciplinary work in a sector generic mental health team

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

S. Marriott*
Affiliation:
College Research Unit, London SW1X
A. Hassiotis
Affiliation:
Learning Disabilities, St. Charles Hospital London W10 6DZ
J. Ray
Affiliation:
Abbey Road, Community Mental Health Team, London NW8 0EH
P. Tyrer
Affiliation:
St Charles Hospital London W10 6DZ and Consultant Psychiatrist, The North Paddington Community Mental Health Team, 209 Harrow Road, London W2 5EG
*
Correspondence
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Abstract

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The effects of establishing a full multidisciplinary community psychiatric team in central London are described. The nature of referrals, and referrers' satisfaction with the service were examined during two comparable six-month periods, before and after the changes. The number and severity of referrals increased, and referrers were more satisfied with the new service. In contrast to the inter-agency model, the new multidisciplinary team was associated with more appropriate referral of those patients with the greatest need for specialist services. Clinical skill mix in the team and referrer education are the two factors most likely to have promoted these important changes. The key role of the psychiatrist in a full multidisciplinary team who can empower multi-professional case managers in their day-to-day management of severely ill patients is highlighted.

Type
Original Papers
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1996

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