Public opinions about preparation required before closing psychiatric hospitals

Abstract

The closure of large psychiatric hospitals and the opening of community-based mental health facilities now forms a central part of British health policy. The study described here investigates public need for preparations upon such a closure and the opening of a mental health facility in the North of London. Door-to-door interviews were carried out with local residents showing that, although they objected strongly to the closure of psychiatric hospitals, they welcomed the opening of mental health facilities in their area. They did, however, express the need for the authorities to ensure that members of the community were appropriately prepared.