Managing severe mental illness in the community using the Mental Health Act 1983: a comparison of Supervised Discharge and Guardianship in England

Background Two measures in the English Mental Health Act allow requirements to be imposed upon patients living in the community. These are Guardianship (Section 7) and Supervised Discharge (Section 25A). Aims The paper aims to compare patients with mental illnesses, made subject to Guardianship or Supervised Discharge. Method Data on patient characteristics, impairment, needs and interventions were collected from keyworkers in a random national sample of Trusts and local authorities. Ratings were obtained on standardised measures of disability, impairment and needs. Results Patients placed on Supervised Discharge were more likely to have problems of treatment compliance and drug misuse, whilst those on Guardianship were more likely to have problems of social welfare and higher ratings of disability and impairment. Supervised Discharge has a higher proportion of African-Caribbean patients. Interventions delivered are rated as effective for both measures. Conclusions Legal changes proposed in England include a single power for supervision in the community. This should not mean a focus on risk management to the neglect of social welfare interventions.