This text examines the purpose, methods and implementation of clinical audit programmes in mental health care. It reviews the historical development of audit in psychiatric/mental health, particularly since the governmental-inspired health reforms of 1989/90.

Clinical Audit in Mental Health Towards a Multidisciplinary Approach John Riordan Central Psychology Service, Thorpe Combe Hospital, Walthamstow, UK and Darren Mockler Neuropsychology Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK Clinical audit is central to current health care reforms. Although the concept of audit is now well accepted, the key challenge is its implementation in different specialities. In the field of mental health care a highly collaborative, team-based approach is essential, and audit practice must take into account the activities of the full range of multidisciplinary professional groups in hospital and community settings. The content of this book reflects the growing need to extend the principles of medical audit to encompass clinical audit in order to meet the demands of purchasers, providers, clinicians, carers and patients. An evaluation of key areas of care such as delivery, timeliness and outcome, with an emphasis on quality, is provided. The approach to clinical audit, here, is essentially practical and case-oriented and this book will appeal to a wide audience including psychiatric services managers, consultant psychiatrists, social services care managers and community care teams, and quality assurance professionals.