Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation” (Department of Health, 1999) reconfirmed mental health as a key priority for the NHS, and set a target to reduce suicide and death from undetermined injuries associated with mental ill health by a fifth. The National Service Framework for Mental health in adults of working age published in 1999 was a 10-year strategy, resulting in a significant growth in community mental health provision with the development of early intervention, assertive outreach, crisis intervention and home treatment approaches and community “teams”. The first mental health act in England, the County Asylum Act, was passed in 1808, and was followed by the Lunacy Acts of 1845, 1890 and 1891.