General Practice care of enduring mental health problems: an evaluation of the Wellington Mental Health Liaison Service.

Aims: To describe the development and evaluation of a primary care service for a population of mental health consumers who had previously been predominantly cared for by a specialist service.

Methods: Consumers were interviewed at regular intervals after entry to the programme. The Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale (HoNOS) and the Life Skills Profile (LSP) outcomes measures were used with consumers at intervals of 0,3,6,12 and 18 months after entry to the programme. A cost comparison was made between services provided to consumers in the year before entry to the programme, and after entry.

Results: Consumers reported no deterioration in their clinical condition while under the care of general practitioners, and they were largely satisfied with general practitioner care. Consumers' LSP scores were stable after entry to the programme. General practitioners were initially ambivalent about the programme, but were more supportive after 12 months had elapsed. The education provided to general practitioners, nurses, and receptionists was strongly welcomed.

Conclusions: With carefully designed training and support, general practice can provide high-quality community-based mental healthcare for consumers with enduring mental health disorders, and it can support the introduction of integrated mental health care initiatives.