Records of ill people being stigmatised exist over the centuries, especially individuals with mental disorders and related mental health problems. Ingredients of such stigmatisation include a belief that such disorders are often self-inflicted and resistant to change. Also, the perceptions that those with them are dangerous and present major difficulties in social interaction (Hayward & Bright, 1997). Such stigmatisation then takes many behavioural forms, including abuse and social distancing. These same disorders are common and, overall, they comprise the largest group of health problems in the country today. For a century or more the public has been protected by the existence of mental hospitals. With their closure and the emphasis now on community care, public concern seems to be mounting and stigmatisation of those afflicted worsening.

Soon after I retired from my clinical academic post I agreed to become Director of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for a period of two years, in the hope that I might be able to play a part in ensuring that it becomes firmly established and accepted by psychiatrists as a whole. Having now completed one year as Director, it is gratifying to find the scheme accepted by so many. Nevertheless, I need to discuss what is perhaps the most pressing of all problems which I face. It concerns the various difficulties which have impeded full recruitment into the scheme.