ABSTRACT
Providing care for individuals with mental health and substance use needs reveals challenges and dilemmas in bringing about systemic change in complex organisations. An essential part of the process of standardising care and promoting consistency is the development of strategy, policy and procedure to outline how professionals, services, organisations, and healthcare systems are required to respond. Identifying the local position is crucial to effectively devising a strategy to apply national policy and guidance. Analysing local need is a vital step to establish local prevalence, individual, and professional capabilities. Implementing strategy and policy requires consistent leadership and management, with planning and monitoring through governance structures. In 2006, the Department of Health produced guidance for National Health Service, social services, voluntary and private sector organisations on the assessment and management of people with mental illness who also use substances in mental health hospital settings. The guide clearly states that assessment and management of the care are core competencies of mental health professionals.
