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- Authors:
- ROSE Diana, FORD Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 11.2.99, 1999, p.27.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A study has shown that people with severe mental health problems are capable of being involved in planning their care. The authors suggest new ways of finding out what service users think.
Assertive Outreach: does it reach expectations?
- Authors:
- MINGHELLA Edana, GAUNTLETT Nick, FORD Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 11(1), February 2002, pp.27-42.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
The study evaluated two voluntary sector Assertive Outreach (AO) teams. Team structures and functions were measured against an evidence-based model of assertive community treatment (ACT). Targeting and engagement were also considered. Outcome measures comprised mental health, quality of life, social functioning and user satisfaction. Users' contact with mental health services, and costs incurred, were measured. While the teams partly adhered to the ACT model, there were major areas of deviation. The teams had little influence over admission and discharge and no medical input. Local users with frequent hospital admissions were not targeted. Clinical and social outcomes were mixed, and hospital bed use - and, consequently, costs - increased. Conversely, clients valued the teams, especially the practical help provided and staff attitudes. The findings add to growing evidence that lack of adherence to the ACT model and inadequate targeting of the appropriate client group adversely affect outcomes. The question is whether the benefits of user satisfaction and engagement outweigh the costs of disappointing clinical outcomes and increased hospital use.
Conditions for women in in-patient psychiatric units: the Mental Health Act Commission 1996 national visit
- Authors:
- WARNER Lesley, FORD Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Care, 1(7), March 1998, pp.225-228.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
All NHS services are expected to make in-patient wards single-sex. However, as the authors report, women in psychiatric hospitals still have to share sleeping accommodation with men, and still experience sexual harassment, violence, threat and abuse. Some units are unable even to guarantee 24-hour access to a female member of staff.
Does intensive case management work? clinical, social and quality of life outcomes from a controlled study
- Authors:
- FORD Richard, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 5(4), October 1996, pp.361-368.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Intensive case management (ICM) schemes for people with serious mental illness (SMI) are developing in popularity in the UK. This article looks at whether case management can also bring about improved outcomes. It compares the outcomes of clients receiving case management, in addition to standard mental health services, to those for a matched control group who only received standard services. Results found that the case managed group had superior improvements in social functioning, perceived social support, less risk behaviour and increased involvement with activities and social organisations. Improvements in mental state and subjective quality of life occurred but were non-significant when compared to the control group. Argues that intensive case management was able to bring about these benefits by making best use of the available treatment and rehabilitation services.