Press release: Mental Health Network responds to National Audit Office report on Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment services

07 Dec 2007

Commenting on the report by the National Audit Office, Steve Shrubb, the director of the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network which represents the majority of mental health trusts, said:

"We welcome this report and its endorsement of Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment (CRHT) services as a model that is not only better value for money but also better for patients.

"We also agree with the commission that more needs to be done to make the CRHT model truly effective across the country. At their best, these teams are a fundamental part of how service providers handle acute cases and they offer real alternatives to hospital admission.

"As leaders in mental health, we are keen to help spread good practice. This is because CRHT teams can not only provide an effective 'gatekeeping' function to ensure that service users get a quick and effective response but can also help deliver improved services across the organisation.

Notes for editors

The Mental Health Network represents the majority of mental health trusts. It was launched in spring 2007 to provide a distinct voice for providers of NHS mental health services.

The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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