Lessons from an evaluation of major change in adult mental health services: effects on quality.

Background: The move from inpatient to community services in mental health has sparked debate internationally but the evidence base for successful service models is sparse.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of bed reduction on quality of services when accompanied by redesign of community services.

Methods: Qualitative and quantitative data were collected 6 months before and 6 months after the redesign was implemented.