Community Medical Care of People With Mental Handicaps: Room for Improvement

This article considers the need for appropriate and efficient medical care for people with mental handicaps living in the community. It calls for regular screening, improved GP services, and favourable hospital services. The role of the psychiatrist and the CMHT is explored. It concludes with a plea for retention of regional mental handicap hospitals, fully integrated with community services and university research departments, mandatory district handicap teams, specialised clinics and acute psychiatric units, and a cohesive community health service.