Client participation in mental handicap services.

This article reports the results emerging from our work into improving clients participation in the planning and management of mental handicap services in the Rhondda District of Mid-Glamorgan, Wales. The Rhondda is one of the two "Vanguard Districts" in Wales which were selected for more rapid service developments in order that other districts could learn from some of their successes and mistakes. Many of the Griffiths proposals for community care are already in operation in this service. This article describes and analyses some of the problems which have arisen, and outlines the structures for participation which are being developed.