What does receiving the care programme approach mean for service users?
OBJECTIVE
To explore what receiving the Care Programme Approach means for service users.


METHODS
A qualitative study based on peer group discussion, the transcript being subjected to issues analysis to generate key themes.


METHODS
Ayrshire and Arran, West of Scotland.


METHODS
Six people with severe and enduring mental illness who were receiving the Care Programme Approach. The size of the group was restricted to allow service users time to express their views. (A representative response was not being sought.)


RESULTS
Four major themes emerged from the service users: the power of user involvement, how receiving CPA can help to avert potential problems, the rights of service users, and the benefits of advocacy. These service users felt that CPA had made a real difference to their lives.


CONCLUSIONS
As user involvement is an integral part of CPA, it is important that we develop strategies that allow their views to shape, in a genuine way, the services being put in place to meet their needs. In Ayrshire they seem to have learned that their participation mattered.
Alexander
H
H
Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow, 1 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow.
Brady
L
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012606:Scotland