The development of the Mental Health Advice Centre in Lewisham Health District

The Mental Health Advice Centre in Lewisham, South East London, represents an innovation in psychiatric service aiming to integrate primary health care with mental health professionals and to provide easy access for patients to psychiatric and psychological help. The Centre has been operating for 3 years and is staffed by a multi-professional team comprising psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, community psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, research workers, and volunteers. This report outlines the development of the Centre and presents the results of two years' evaluative work. Social, demographic, and psychiatric characteristics of the clients who attended the Centre during these two years are described.