Aims and MethodsTo ascertain current levels of access to home treatment for those with acute mental illness and future plans of trusts and purchasing authorities to provide such services. Also, to assess the attitudes of these organisations towards this form of treatment. A postal survey of all mental health trusts and purchasing authorities within the UK was carried out.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-two trusts and 82 health authorities returned questionnaires, representing a response rate of 75% and 67% respectively. Only 27 (16%) of trusts provided home treatment but 58 (40%) had plans to do so. All health authorities and 97% of trusts were in favour of the principle of providing home treatment.Clinical ImplicationsDespite the low levels of provision of home treatment trusts and health authorities were strongly in favourof it. There is likely to be a large increase in its availability over the next 12 months.

College's reply: I am grateful to Dr Veasey (2000, this issue) for raising this matter. The College has to balance its obligations to members with its main purpose of raising standards in psychiatry. Sometimes this is a difficult balancing act. Members will be aware that Council has recently agreed to establish an External Clinical Advisory Service. This will offer expert external advice to NHS trusts on any psychiatric service which is not functioning effectively. Further details of the service, which will be of assistance to College members as well as protecting patients, will appear on the College's website. Dr Peter Snowden has been appointed Director of this service. You will be glad to know that the College has made a robust response to the recent Tilt Report and copies of this response will also be available on the College's website in the near future. VEASEY, D. A. (2000) Further comments on inquiry panels (letter). Psychiatric Bulletin, 24, 393.