Studying the future: a Delphi survey of how multi-disciplinary clinical staff view the likely development of two community mental health centres over the course of the next two years.

Two community mental health centres (CMHCs) in North Staffordshire, England were the sites for a recent Delphi survey of multi-disciplinary clinical staff. The views of staff were sought on the likely developments over the next 2 years, at the CMHC where they worked. Each group of staff independently produced healthy numbers of suggestions, with few contradictions; and displayed predominantly positive attitudes, both towards particular suggestions and the future in general. Summarized results were classified within seven themes, producing similar distribution patterns for both CMHCs. The most frequently occurring themes were changing staff roles and CMHC functions and developments in therapies and skills. Mid-placed themes concerned community development and communication/continuity. The least frequently reported themes covered general management, user involvement and quality assurance. Issues raised by the study are discussed and related to other published works, followed by consideration of how the findings might be utilized. Clinical staff have generated a large number of suggestions and, importantly, via rounds of confidential voting, indicated the group consensus on each item. Consequently, management of change should stand a high chance of success. Finally, one means of taking the findings forward is described.