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Mental health care praised

07/12/2007

Teams providing intensive treatment for short-term mental illness outside of hospitals are having a positive impact on local acute mental health services.

That is the conclusion of the National Audit Office (NAO)'s study into crisis resolution home treatment (CRHT) teams.

These teams provide treatment and support for people with short-term mental health crises outside of hospital, ideally in their own homes.

If used appropriately and safely, CRHT teams bring clinical benefits and increased patient satisfaction, the NAO said today.

The teams have reduced pressure on beds and have been successful in reaching many service users who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital.

They also support people in early discharge from hospital.

However the NAO report also found that services are being limited by a lack of input from specialist health and social care professionals, variations in staffing levels across the country and too few admissions to hospital being assessed by CRHT teams.

It also identified wide variations between areas in the extent to which teams are staffed and resourced.

Mental illness costs the economy £47 billion per year, including over £15 billion in lost employment and £10 billion in benefits payments.

The NAO estimates that about £12 million a year could be saved through greater use of CRHT services in appropriate cases.

NAO head Sir John Bourn commented: "CRHT teams are really beginning to prove their worth in the NHS.

"However, a lack of resources and a lack of multi-disciplinary support are limiting what these teams can do. And not all of those who would benefit from this service are being considered for it. These issues need to be addressed if the service is to improve."