Critical thinking stop point 35.3

Possible answers to: Take a moment to reflect on these points. Make a list of the challenges and opportunities for working in this way within mainstream services. Do you think there is anything else mental health nurses can do to support the choice of alternatives?

It is unlikely that the NHS will make radical decisions to adopt a full range of alternatives on a large scale basis. There are better prospects for smaller scale local changes. Especially as inpatient beds and community crisis services come under increasing pressure, persuasive arguments can be made for short-term crisis alternatives. For example, there has been a sustained campaign in Bradford to establish a Soteria crisis house. Some nurses will have more influence than others. Those nurses with seniority, especially within commissioning bodies, can argue the case for alternatives. Nurses in research positions can make choices to study alternatives and main evidence-based case for their adoption or piloting. All nurses can seek alliances with service user groups calling for alternatives and campaign for their introduction.