A needs-led approach to hospital resettlement

Reports on an inter-agency initiative in Wakefield that used a needs-led case management approach for the resettlement of 32 former users of long-term hospital mental health services. Reviews the programme using headings provided by the values which underpinned local mental health services, namely, that services should endeavour to be appropriate, acceptable, accessible, effective/efficient and equitable for service users. The main objective of the programme was achieved--32 former users of hospital mental health services were resettled. Issues were, however, raised concerning the extent to which the programme could be described as needs-led. Concludes that there is still much to learn about the application of case management within the British health context.