Professional staff and carers' views of an integrated mental health service for adults with learning disabilities

A study was undertaken to investigate the views of professional staff and paid and informal carers' views of a new integrated mental health service for people with learning disabilities.

Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed. Most staff and carers were generally satisfied with the in-patient facility. However, information exchange, ward rounds and the ward environment were identified as areas requiring improvement.

Many of the participants had no previous experience of supporting a person with learning disabilities and mental health problems in an in-patient setting. However, over time they became supportive of the mental health service and provided valuable input in improving the service provision for people with learning disabilities.