Multi-disciplinary Work Groups, which include mental health service users, are established to develop guidelines based on evidence from a systematic review of the relevant literature. The evidence base for each guideline statement is specified. The views of mental health service users and carers are of equal importance to those of clinicians.
All structures are multi-disciplinary.
Explicit criteria are used to appraise the methods of development, ensuring the quality of the final products. The development process places emphasis on validity, reliability and clinical relevance. The CPG Programme initially received total funding for its Research Team from the NHS Executive's central clinical audit funds. Since April 1996, the overheads for the Team have been funded by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Research Unit. The additional costs of this guideline development project were met by a project grant from the NHS Executive.