Abstract

Policy for mental health services in England is based on two straightforward principles. These are, first that care should be provided as locally to where a person lives as is reasonably possible, and secondly that treatment should be available in the least restrictive conditions that are compatible with the safety of the patient, of those looking after him and of the public at large. I make no apology for reviewing the history of policy and practice; it is not possible to understand the mental health services that we are trying to achieve for the future without understanding how the service has developed over the years. I shall use the mental illness service as an example – similar considerations apply to the mental handicap services.

Highlights

  • The idea of a local service is by no means new

  • Patients discharged from hospital began to rise as new and more effective treatments were developed. It was against this setting of better treatments and a gradual reduction in the use of institutional care that the major tranquillisers were introduced in the mid-1950s

  • The basic requirements of this policy are that health authorities should develop, as locally as poss ible, comprehensive services for mentally ill people and that this should be done in conjunction with local authorities and voluntary organisations

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The idea of a local service is by no means new. Before the Elizabethan Poor Law, abbeys and monasteries provided what care there was as a religious duty. The basic requirements of this policy are that health authorities should develop, as locally as poss ible, comprehensive services for mentally ill people and that this should be done in conjunction with local authorities and voluntary organisations.

Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.