Table 2 Policies for the public mental health services in China and the four cities
| Â | The central government | Wuhan | Changsha | Guangzhou | Shenzhen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic public mental health services | |||||
 Health information management | National health IT systems are used for information management. | National health IT systems are used for information management. | National health IT systems are used for information management. | Local health IT systems and local quality control protocol were established. | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Follow-up services | Patients are followed-up every three months. The qualified management rate of registered patients with severe mental disorders should be over 80%. | Stable patients are followed up with every three months, while unstable patients are followed up every month. | Stable patients are followed up with every three months, while unstable patients are followed up every month. | Stable patients are followed up with every three months, while unstable patients are followed up every month. | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Physical examinations | 1–2 physical examinations per year | 1–2 physical examinations per year | 1–2 physical examinations per year | 1–2 physical examinations per year | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Violence Risk Assessments | Stable patients are followed-up every three months. Unstable patients are followed up every month. | Stable patients are followed up with every three months. Unstable patients are followed up every month. | Stable patients are followed up with every three months. Unstable patients are followed up every month. | Stable patients are followed up with every three months. Unstable patients are followed up every month. | Same as Guangzhou. |
Social medical assistances | |||||
 Social medical insurance | NA | Purchase local social medical insurance for eligible patients. | Purchase local social medical insurance for eligible patients. | Purchase local social medical insurance for eligible patients. | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Medication | NA | Eligible underprivileged patients with a disability certificate released by the Wuhan government can receive an allowance (¥150 per month). | Patients who were Changsha residents can get essential medicines listed in the medical insurance for free. | NA | Eligible underprivileged patients with a disability certificate released by the Shenzhen government can get drug allowance (¥1,800 per year). |
 Outpatient service | NA | Local patients with a disability certificate (disability level greater than level 2) released by the Wuhan government. Underprivileged patients and eligible critically ill patients, can receive outpatient services with reimbursement up to ¥10,000 per year. | Local patients with social medical insurance, who are at risk of violence and have hospitalization records, can receive outpatient services with reimbursement up to ¥500 per month. | Local patients with a disability certificate (disability level greater than level 2) released by the Shenzhen government can receive outpatient services with reimbursement up to ¥1,000 per month. | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Inpatient service | NA | For out-of-pocket social medical expenses, reimbursement will be provided at a rate of 70%. | Local poor patients with social medical insurance and at risk of violence can receive inpatient services. | Local patients with a disability certificate (disability level greater than level 2) released by the Shenzhen government can receive inpatient services. | Same as Guangzhou. |
Community-based Rehabilitation Services | |||||
 Policy | More than 60% of outpatients receive community rehabilitation services. | More than 60% of outpatients receive community rehabilitation services. | More than 60% of outpatients receive community rehabilitation services. | Establish at least one comprehensive community mental rehabilitation service center in each district. | More than 50% of outpatients receive community rehabilitation services. |
Risk management | |||||
 Compulsory treatment | Any patient responsible for an accident must receive compulsory medical treatment or hospitalization. | Any patient responsible for an accident must receive compulsory medical treatment or hospitalization. | Any patient responsible for an accident must receive compulsory medical treatment or hospitalization. | Any patient responsible for an accident must receive compulsory medical treatment or hospitalization. | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Free Business insurance | NA | ‘Guardianship Liability Insurance for Severe Mental Disorders’ are for guardians, and ‘patient accident insurance’ are available in two districts of Wuhan. | NA | The government has purchased a commercial insurance called ‘Guardianship Liability Insurance for Severe Mental Disorders’ for all guardians. | Same as Guangzhou. |
 Guardianship Grant | NA | Depending on the severity of the condition, guardians (residents) of people with severe mental disorders may receive guardianship benefits (the grants range from ¥2,400 to ¥4,200). | NA | Depending on the severity of the condition, guardians, and assistant guardians of people with severe mental disorders may receive guardianship benefits (the target coverage is 50%, the grants range from ¥1,500 to ¥6,000). | Same as Guangzhou. |