Opening the Floodgates? The Possible Use of Supervised Community Treatment in England and Wales

The UK government's Mental Health Act 2007 introduces compulsory supervised community treatment (SCT) to England and Wales. Estimates of the possible level of use of SCT are helpful both to address patient fears and to plan services. The number of patients under SCT is likely to rise over time, although the level of use will depend on a number of contextual variables and whether evidence of clinical and social benefits is forthcoming.