Professional staff and carers' views of an integrated mental health service for adults with learning disabilities

Abstract

Aims and MethodA study was undertaken to investigate the views of professional staff and paid and informal carers' views of a new integrated mental health service for people with learning disabilities.ResultsTwenty semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed. Most staff and carers were generally satisfied with the in-patient facility. However, information exchange, ward rounds and the ward environment were identified as areas requiring improvement.Clinical ImplicationsMany of the participants had no previous experience of supporting a person with learning disabilities and mental health problems in an in-patient setting. However, over time they became supportive of the mental health service and provided valuable input in improving the service provision for people with learning disabilities.