The attitudes of British fundholding general practitioners to community psychiatric nursing services.

This study was designed to explore the attitudes of British fundholding general practitioners to community psychiatric nurses and the services they currently provide, and may provide in the future. The information was collected by postal questionnaire. Seventy-two fundholding general practitioners were identified within the East Sussex Family Health Authority, England; 20 (27%) completed and returned the questionnaire. The instrument was based on previously published work, with some adaptations relating to the fundholding element. The results confirmed previous research findings suggesting a favourable attitude towards community psychiatric nurses, and also identified the services they should provide. Three areas in need of urgent research were highlighted.