ABSTRACT
There is no point in a therapist advertising his/her service to the public and potential service users until he/she is actually ready to receive self-referrals. The therapist can launch his/her publicity strategy at the same time as he/she embarks on the three-month run-in period. The response may be slow but it allows the opportunity to ensure that the publicity strategy is reaching the audience, the referral mechanisms are rigorous and efficient, the staff are prepared and confident in all aspects of the system’s administration, the approach to data collection and definition are appropriate and unambiguous, and the therapist can monitor and potentially report on the impact accurately. It takes a long time for the wider public to become aware of changes to systems of healthcare and also to have the confidence to use them.
