Clinical guidelines within mental health services: An overview of the appraisal and implementation process

Abstract

First paragraph: Following the emergence of the government white papers, The New NHS: Modern, Dependable and A First Class Service: Quality in the New NHS (Department of Health 1997, 1998a), and the National Health Service in Scotland white paper Designed to Care (Department of Health 1998b), the word 'quality' has become the cornerstone for all national developments within the NHS. Professional bodies, such as the College of Occupational Therapists, must also embrace the principles and practices of quality (COT 1999). In turn, members of professional bodies, such as occupational therapists, must ensure that their interventions are based upon current knowledge of best practice. The Government, through the above white papers, sets out a three-strand approach to quality (Department of Health 1998a, cited in Sealey 1999, p263): 1. Setting quality standards 2. Delivering quality standards 3. Monitoring quality standards.