Abstract
Objective: To provide a background to the reasons for the inevitability of managerial and professional conflict in the modern mental health system and the possible role of clinical governance in providing a resolution to this conflict.
Methods: Literature review, historical overview and personal observation.
Results: Social and political world changes have led to governments’ decreasing role in the economy, which is one of the major factors impacting on the public mental health system, leading to managerial and professional conflict as increasing demand meets limited resources.
Conclusion: Until the major participants in the health system come together, such conflicts will continue. Clinical governance provides a means for this to occur.