NURSE THERAPISTS IN PSYCHIATRY - DEVELOPMENTS, CONTROVERSIES AND IMPLICATIONS

This paper concerns a new clinical role for psychiatric nurses, as case managers for selected adult neurotics with behaviour problems. The role involves unusual autonomy. The selection and training procedures are unusually rigorous and focus on general case-management as much as behavioural skills. The number of service posts offered these therapists is rising. These developments have wide implications for other personnel, particularly in respect of authority and responsibility boundaries, selection and training procedures, and team structure.