The aim of the study was to elicit the views of senior house officers in psychiatry across London regarding the factors that influence their decision whether to pursue a career in child and adolescent psychiatry. Postal questionnaires were sent to a random sample of all senior house officers on London psychiatry training schemes.

Of the respondents who recalled being taught child psychiatry at medical school, 91% found it interesting and 73% found it useful. Of those who recalled having such teaching during psychiatric training, 90% found it interesting and 85% found it useful. However, this had no significant impact upon subsequent career choice. Experience of working as a senior house officer in child psychiatry did influence future career intentions. Trainees who identified such placements as providing good clinical experience or job satisfaction were significantly more likely to consider the specialty for a future career.

Consultants and managers should create and maintain senior house officer posts that will encourage trainees to perceive the specialty as a future career.

To determine what has happened to care home residents with dementia who were on risperidone or olanzapine prior to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM) guidance, and to compare with a previous audit of the practice within a community mental health team (CMHT) for older people. Residents with dementia were identified from 10 randomly selected care homes in Leicestershire, and prescriptions before and 9 months after the CSM guidance were assessed. Carers were interviewed to determine who was reviewing residents and how often a review occurred.

In total, 330 residents' medication charts were assessed; 164 (50%) had documentation which identified them as having a dementia; 75 of these residents with dementia (46%) were on an antipsychotic at some time during the audit period. Before CSM advice 69% (37 out of 54) of the antipsychotics prescribed to residents with dementia were either risperidone or olanzapine; this reduced to 39% (19 out of 49) after the CSM advice. Out of those who continued on risperidone or olanzapine, the majority were under GP care only (15 out of 19) and overwhelmingly seen on an as-required basis and infrequently. In two-thirds of cases the prescriptions for antipsychotics were for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Compared with the CMHT for older people, primary care was less successful at withdrawing risperidone or olanzapine.

Further research is needed to clarify what approach would be most acceptable and cost-effective to assist British GPs in the management of this patient population.

Annual audits of the enhanced care programme approach (CPA) were conducted from 2002 to 2005 to evaluate and improve the implementation of CPA in two inner-London community learning disability services. The CPA standards included those stipulated by the Department of Health. The notes of all patients on enhanced CPA were analysed using a structured data collection form.

There was a gradual improvement in the attainment of targets by both services. Areas of strength included allocating a date for the next CPA review, crisis plans and documentation of service users' comments. Areas of weakness included completion and review of risk assessments and the availability of a care plan for the previous 6 months.

Completing the audit cycle and reauditing improves attainment of targets and encourages service development, but further progress is required.