Mental Health Network: Teams improve services
Friday, 07 Dec 2007 11:18
The work of crisis resolution and home treatment (CRHT) services should be strengthened to improve the care of people with mental health needs, the Mental Health Network (MHN) has said.
The network has welcomed a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) into the teams which concluded that they can have a positive impact on local acute mental health services.
But the NAO also warned that greater resources and support are necessary if they are to reach their potential.
"We agree with the commission that more needs to be done to make the CRHT model truly effective across the country," said MHN director Steve Shrubb.
"At their best, these teams are a fundamental part of how service providers handle acute cases and they offer real alternatives to hospital admission.
"As leaders in mental health, we are keen to help spread this good practice. This is because CRHT teams can not only provide an effective 'gatekeeping' function to ensure that service users get a quick and effective response but can also help deliver improved services across the organisation."
