Care Programme Approach

Care Programme Approach (CPA) is a system of delivering community mental health services in the United Kingdom. Introduced in England in the 1990s, the CPA has been a central part of the UK's mental health policy. It provides a framework for effective mental health care, and its main elements are systematic arrangements for assessing health and social needs, the formulation of a care plan which addresses those needs, the appointment of a care coordinator, and regular review and, if necessary, agreed changes to the care plan.

History

The CPA was introduced by the Department of Health in 1991. It was designed to provide a framework for effective mental health care for people with severe mental health problems who were being cared for by specialist mental health services. The CPA was revised in 1995, 1999 and 2008.

Components

The CPA has four main components:

1. Assessment: This is the systematic collection of information about a person's mental health needs, the impact of their mental health problems on their life, and their personal, social and economic resources. The assessment is carried out by a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or mental health nurse.
2. Care Plan: This is a written plan that sets out what services and support the person will receive to meet their assessed needs. The care plan is agreed between the person and their care coordinator, and is regularly reviewed.
3. Care Coordinator: This is a mental health professional who is responsible for coordinating the care of the person. The care coordinator is usually a mental health nurse, but can also be a social worker or occupational therapist.
4. Review: This is a regular review of the person's care plan to ensure that it is still meeting their needs. The review is carried out by the care coordinator, and involves the person and, where appropriate, their carer(s).

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the CPA has been the subject of much research. Studies have shown that it can lead to improved quality of life, reduced hospital admissions, and increased satisfaction with services. However, some studies have also highlighted problems with the implementation of the CPA, including variability in the quality of care plans and the lack of involvement of service users in their care.

See also

• Mental health in the United Kingdom
• Community mental health services
• Mental health nurse
• Psychiatrist