This study investigated the knowledge and attitude of 100 patients about their depot neuroleptic medication. Patients were well informed about their medication, particularly those seen in depot clinics. Most patients were content with service delivery but 48% did not realise that they had a choice about receiving their treatment. This aspect of patients' rights should be addressed and demands sensitive management in the case of depot refusers, or when assertive outreach is planned. We suggest that such issues should be incorporated into an educational programme and discussed with patients when they are relatively well.

The experience of violence towards members of community mental health teams was explored using a questionnaire. Response rates were 97%. The number of staff experiencing various types of violence was greater than in previous studies. Staff were generally well-informed about the theoretical issues and had sensible attitudes towards the risk of violence. Appropriate training was found to be lacking and other Department of Health and Social Security recommendations were not being followed. These included information about whereabouts of staff, and mechanisms for communication. We recommend that training issues are addressed locally and that safe theory should be translated into safe practice which is regularly monitored.