The Mental Health Services: A Review of the Statistical Sources and a Critical Assessment of their Usefulness

Abstract

The National Health Service has entered a period of substantial change. The impending reform of local government (1974) will coincide with considerable reforms in the administrative structure of the N.H.S. (1). In addition, our subject matter—the mental health services—has been the subject of various Government White Papers and policy decisions (2). These reforms are an attempt to increase the efficiency of the service, and throughout their pages reference is made to the need for scientific management and administrative efficiency.