PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT mental health care at home

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Healthcare Delivery Models
• Community Psychiatry

Background:

• The National Service Framework for Mental Health (DoH 1999) mandated the development of new mental health service models.
• Early implementation of community-based mental health crisis support was a key objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and early operation of the CRISIS Assessment and Rapid Domiciliary Support (CARDS) team.
• To highlight the CARDS team as a pioneering crisis resolution and home treatment service.

Main Methods:

• The CARDS team was developed in Southport as a response to national mental health policy.
• This involved establishing a dedicated service for rapid assessment and home treatment for mental health crises.

Main Results:

• The CARDS team was among the first of its kind in the UK.
• It represented a significant development in community-based mental health care provision.

Conclusions:

• The CARDS team exemplifies an early, innovative approach to mental health crisis management.
• Such teams are crucial for providing timely and accessible support within the community.