Table 1 Initiatives in the development plan

Establishing a patient education centre

A patient education centre was established in November 2009, and employed two persons. A user representative participated in the planning and starting of the centre, and representatives partake in the daily work.

Establishing an office run by users where various user representatives shall be available to the users of the centre

An office and information centre for users was established in January 2010. The office provides information material, telephone and Internet for patients and next of kin. Two user organisations and representatives from the regional labour and welfare administration use the office weekly.

Purchasing user expertise up to 17.5 hours per week

The centre's budget allows for buying up to 17.5 hours of user expertise per week, but normally buys 10-12 hours per month. A user representative is employed 20% for the research project on self administered places/beds.

Establishing a strategy for education of user representatives

Not implemented. Education of user representatives has been assigned to the user organisations.

Appointing contact personnel for next of kin in each section

In March 2009 one personnel from each unit has been appointed contact person for next of kin.

Allowing money in the budget for patient education

Money for patient education have since January 2009 been a part of the patient education centre's working budget.

Tentative proceedings with places/beds administered by the patients themselves

A randomized controlled trial on places/beds administered by patients was started in May 2010. One user representative is participating in the steering committee, and two in the research group. User expertise equivalent to 20% employment is bought during this study.

Improving the centre's communication and information materials

A group was established before relocation to evaluate and suggest measures to improve the centre's communication and information materials. The work in this group stopped after a few meetings. Outwards communication has been discussed at several staff meetings during 2009 and 2010.

Formulate and implement a strategy for quality assurance of attitudes and culture among the personnel

Tentative plans were discussed with user representatives in spring 2009. A philosopher was temporarily employed during the fall 2009. He conducted group sessions with health personnel to discuss attitudes towards user participation. The work stopped in 2009. The implementation group (administrators, health personnel and user representatives) discussed attitudes and culture at 6-8 meetings during the implementation process.

Implementing a web based system (Sampro) for collaborating and coordinating individual plans and individual education plans for patients.

An educational course led by an external course supervisor was held for 4 patients and their therapists in April 2010. In one of the in-patient units therapist have received training in using the system, and patients are continuously offered to use this system.

Informing patients; in general about the centre, about their right to change therapist, and about setting treatment goals

Information has been discussed at several meetings in the executive group, but no concrete initiatives have been planned or implemented.

Tentative proceedings with using Client Directed Outcome Informed therapy in out-patient sessions.

A research trial on Client Directed Outcome Informed therapy in out-patient sessions started in February 2010, and is currently running.

(Not in development plan)

The patient education centre reviewed each unit's work with patient education from January 2010, and decided to appoint one contact person for patient education per unit. Per April 2010 6 out of 8 units had contact persons.

(Not in development plan)

To ensure identification of and care for in-patients' children a group in charge was appointed in January 2010.

(Not in development plan)

All in-patient units conduct regular "house meetings" where patients are encouraged to raise issues which are subsequently discussed in management meetings.

(Not in development plan)

Patients and users are represented in the panel overseeing the quality of the services, and are participating in the processes of introducing new service initiatives.