A Consumer Survey of two Psychiatric Day Hospitals Available to Purchase

The survey asked attenders at two day hospitals to rate how helpful they found different components of their therapeutic programme. One of the day hospitals was established for short‐term attendance, the other provided rehabilitation and support for long‐term attenders, who tended to be male and psychotic. The results revealed that the short‐term unit attenders rated talking to nurses as more helpful than any other activity, whilst long‐term users, in contrast, valued vocational placements and material resources. The survey was subsequently re‐administered in one unit and the results were shown to be statistically reliable. The findings are discussed with reference to how they have been used so far to improve the service in one of the day hospitals. It is concluded that the views of day attenders are an important factor in developing a quality community mental health service.