Community treatment orders: learning from experiences of service users, practitioners and nearest relatives

The effectiveness of Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) has been examined previously. However, few studies have explored the significance of service user and practitioner understandings.

The study explored the experiences of service users, practitioners and nearest relatives, to identify key factors and good practice in relation to CTOs.

A study of CTOs in a mental health NHS Trust in Southern England, including 72 semi-structured interviews, analysed thematically.

CTOs were perceived as helpful in certain circumstances for the "right" service user. Factors influencing effectiveness included recognition of the containing elements of the CTO, a respect for its legal authority and an acceptance of conditions.

The perceptions of service users have an important role in determining the value and potential effectiveness of CTOs. A consideration of these issues should be integral to the process of assessing whether a CTO is appropriate in individual cases.