What do GPs want from mental health services?

Abstract

In the context of a primary care-led NHS, a questionnaire survey of GPs' views of mental health services was undertaken in Sheffield and Norwich. Most GPs are willing to let mental health teams make the decision about allocation of referrals at least for some cases, but only half want to give up that control for all patients. They favour consultants seeing patients in a community mental health centre rather than GP surgery or out-patient clinic, although they would like some flexibility. There is a clear preference for community mental health nurses being based in GP practices. Better liaison is required with all disciplines, and although the best relationship is with nurses, only a quarter regard it as good. Two-thirds want more GP counselling resources. The variation in the approaches of GPs is striking and mental health services should not impose a single working model on all GPs.