Community-based collaborative care (CBCC) is an internationally recognised model of integrated care that emphasises multidisciplinary teamwork and care coordination. In South Africa, community psychiatry has been integrated into some primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. This study examines healthcare providers’ perceptions of collaboration and its challenges in various integrated care settings. Three main components of CBCC (multidisciplinary teams, communication and case management) were explored through qualitative interviews with 29 staff members in 2 clinics. In Clinic-1, community psychiatry services operate independently in an outbuilding behind the main PHC clinic (“co-located”). In Clinic-2, these services are fully integrated within the PHC clinic (“physically integrated”). Both clinics had multidisciplinary teams, with various staff members conducting case management functions on an ad hoc basis. The physically integrated clinic (due to shared files, physical proximity and a facility manager with mental health experience) had greater levels of communication between the multidisciplinary team. In contrast, the co-located clinic struggled with poor management, unclear reporting structures and reinforced traditional hierarchies, limiting collaboration between the staff members. Integration does not guarantee collaboration. Improving collaboration between mental health and PHC staff requires clear roles, competent managers, CBCC endorsement from PHC clinicians, sufficient human resources and systematic communication channels, such as case review meetings.

A landmark South African Mental Health Conference took place in April 2023, marking the first national collaborative conference between government and mental health professionals. The theme was Join the Movement, and a ‘whole of society’ approach was emphasised, imploring various sectors to collaborate in relieving the country's burden of mental illness. Challenges in mental health were raised and possible solutions presented. This article discusses the conference, aspects of psychiatric care in South Africa, South Africa's health system issues and the importance of moving forward measurably.

Some people with phenylketonuria who were born before screening began were never treated and are still alive. Here we report that far fewer people with untreated phenylketonuria were detected than are thought to exist (about 2000). The majority of those traced had high support needs, challenging behaviour and other symptoms of phenylketonuria. No significant differences were found between those who had or had not tried the phenylalanine-restricted diet. A randomised controlled trial is required to examine the effect of trying the low-phenylalanine diet for people with untreated phenylketonuria.

A survey of Scottish psychiatric rehabilitation and support services, carried out in 1983 (McCreadie et al, 1985), found that although there were wide between-hospital differences, the National Health Service in Scotland was making considerable efforts to provide services for the long-term mentally ill. However, services provided by local authorities were seriously deficient.

Of all known schizophrenics living in Nithsdale, south-west Scotland, 146 (88%) were examined for the presence of the three principal movement disorders secondary to antipsychotic medication, namely akathisia, tardive dyskinesia and Parkinsonism. Of these, 18% had akathisia, 5% pseudoakathisia, 29% tardive dyskinesia, 8% persistent tardive dyskinesia, and 27% Parkinsonism. No movement disorder was seen in 44%, 36% had one and 20% had more than one movement disorder. Plasma neuroleptic levels at the time of clinical assessment were measured by the radioreceptor technique. Correlations between dose and plasma level were low; the ratio of mean plasma concentration to mean dose was greatest with fluphenazine decanoate and lowest for sulpiride. The concentration:dose ratio was higher in the elderly. There was no relationship between neuroleptic levels and akathisia, Parkinsonism or tardive dyskinesia. Additional psychotropic medication influenced neuroleptic levels. In 9% of patients receiving oral antipsychotic medication, no drug was detected in plasma.

Obstetric histories of 54 schizophrenic patients and 114 siblings were obtained from their mothers and scored using the Obstetric Complications Scale. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of schizophrenic patients (35%) and siblings (29%) who had at least one definite obstetric complication. There was no evidence that schizophrenic patients with a history of obstetric complications were less likely to have a first-degree relative with a history of psychiatric illness leading to in-patient care. Schizophrenic patients with a history of obstetric complications were more likely to have drug-induced Parkinsonism. There was a trend for tardive dyskinesia to be more common in those schizophrenic patients with no obstetric complications but a family history of schizophrenia.

A total of 2605 old long-stay patients, defined as those admitted to hospital before the age of 65 years and in hospital more than six years, were identified in psychiatric hospitals serving 83% of the Scottish population. The bed occupancy was 59 per 100 000 of the general population, with a range among hospitals of 19–123 per 100 000. Of all patients, 64% were schizophrenic and 15% had organic brain disease; most patients were male, single and over 60 years of age; 41 % had been in hospital more than 30 years; 61 % had either florid psychotic symptoms or symptoms of a deficit state in marked or severe degree, and the rehabilitation potential for 70% was low. An increasing prevalence of deficit symptoms in schizophrenics was associated with increasing length of stay in hospital; the difference was most marked between those admitted before and after 1953.