A national survey of community mental health teams. Team structure and process

Abstract

This national survey (1) describes the organisation and operation of community mental health teams (CMHTs) in England, and (2) examines those features associated with a higher proportion of people with severe and long term mental health problems within the CMHTs' caseloads. It forms the first phase of a longer term study of the outcomes for service users and practitioners of different approaches to the organisation and operation of CMHTs. Descriptive data on 302 CMHTs are reported. Urban teams, teams with less part-time working and teams offering certain care-related activities had a significantly higher proportion of people with severe and long term mental health problems on their caseloads. Teams offering the first contact point for all referrals in the locality had a significantly lower proportion. Although still inadequately developed, a shift towards more formally managed teams and increased user and carer involvement was evident.