Welfare Reform on the Web (March 2003): Mental Health Services - Overseas

FINANCIAL AND ORGANISATIONAL REFORMS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FINANCING AND MANAGEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

L Lien

Health Policy, vol. 63, 2003, p.73-80

In the last five years Norway has implemented major health service reforms. In 1997 the government introduced an activity-based finance system for hospitals using diagnosis related groups (DRG). In 2000 a patients' bill of rights was introduced, which enabled patients to choose which hospital they would attend. Finally in 2002 the central government took over ownership of hospitals from county councils. Article discusses the feasibility of including mental health services in the new system. They are at present exempt from some of the reforms.

SHARED CARE IN MENTAL HEALTH

L Mynors-Wallis et al

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002

Looking at a team approach to care for patients with mental health problems, this book explores the idea that boundaries between primary and secondary care should be blurred. It suggests that care should be shared between primary and secondary teams.

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH CASEBOOK: SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES

A Cohen, A Kleinman and B Saraceno (eds)

New York; London: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2002

This book explores the issues surrounding mental disorders in low-income countries. It presents examples of community-based interventions that have succeeded through:

• outreach to families and community to identify those in need;
• reliable and adequate drug supplies;
• treatment interventions.

It examines factors such as social and economic inequalities, gender discrimination, political violence, malnutrition and poor physical health, all of which contribute to the social and psychological decay of both individuals and communities.