An evaluation of a Mental Health Act educational resource

The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 was developed with the participation of patients and carers. This Act is fundamentally different from all previous versions of the Mental Health Acts in the UK because it is based on Millan's 10 principles. Its objective is to ensure that people with mental disorder receive effective care and treatment. It is crucial that all staff who deal with persons with mental disorder are familiar with the Act and incorporate it into practice. This depends on the effectiveness of educational resources in supporting staff to develop their practice. The project presented here was commissioned by the National Health Service Education for Scotland (NES) to evaluate the accessibility and use of the educational resources produced for all frontline staff in Scotland. The aim was to evaluate the educational resources produced by NES to prepare the frontline staff in relation to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. Evaluation was conducted through a questionnaire survey, focus groups and individual interviews. The NES educational resource was effective in assisting professionals in implementing the complex and progressive requirements of the new Mental Health Act. The three formats reached a wide audience, and are an effective model for future initiatives.