Mental health in the NHS: Policy and practice 1979-98

Abstract

This second and final paper exploring mental health policy and practice in the NHS since 1948 focuses on developments from 1979 onwards. Despite mental health moving up the NHS policy agenda during these 20 years, the authors suggest that there are five themes that are important throughout: the respective contributions of professionals and managers in determining change; the balance between primary care and secondary care in delivering mental health services; the difficulties in translating national policy into local practice; the nature of the relationship between health and social services; and the debate about the appropriate legal framework for the treatment of people with mental illness.