PAPERWORK is getting in the way of mental health care, a conference in Kidderminster was told.

Former consultant psychiatrist and clinical director at Kidderminster Hospital Dr Sandy Robertson gave a keynote speech at the event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of mental health services in the town.

He noted the progress in mental health services since 1978 - but said they were now hampered by the constraints of a "paper institution," hitting out at the dominance of protocols and targets.

"Defensive bureaucratic procedures" were "paralysing initiative", said Dr Robertson, affecting the relationship between doctors and patients.

Eighty people, including clinical staff past and present, patients and carers and GPs, attended Friday's conference, which recalled the establishment of the hospital's D Block as the first Worcestershire psychiatric service to become part of a district general hospital.

Consultant clinical psychologist at the Bewdley Road site, Simon O'Loughlin - who chaired the conference - said the creation of "a culture of respect and attentiveness, of thoughtful inquiry and debate" had been the greatest achievement of the Kidderminster service.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor spoke on the national picture, while former county mental health lead for Social Services Jennifer Jaynes looked at issues surrounding collaborations between the NHS and Social Services.

And Tim Dartington, an organisational consultant from the Tavistock Institute in London, looked at pressures on staff working in community mental health teams and the importance of understanding human nature.

Mr O'Loughlin said Mr Dartington was a special guest, having delivered an address at the opening ceremony 25 years ago.

The celebration day also included a display in D Block Day Hospital, a social event at Edward Parry Centre and presentations to eight current staff members who have worked in the Kidderminster service since D Block was opened.