Although the principles behind the care programme approach have generally been welcomed, its implementation has at best been patchy and at worst a complete failure. The principles behind supervision registers have not been welcomed by most psychiatrists. This paper presents a practical solution to the major problems associated with the implementation of the care programme approach and supervision registers by defining pragmatic criteria for inclusion on these registers and the services which should be provided to registered patients. This solution was agreed between purchasers and providers following a series of consultative meetings and this is a process which must be recommended.