| Sumario: | People with mental illness have poor physical health outcomes. While clinical staff recognise the value of physical health in mental healthcare, they report low confidence and a lack of resources and training. As a result, physical health needs are often unaddressed in routine care. A physical healthcare therapies capability framework (PHC TCF) was developed to support staff in developing capability in addressing the physical health needs of consumers of a large public mental health service. The aims of the current study were to evaluate: (i) staff capability in physical healthcare and the association with provision of service; (ii) changes in capability and service provision. Self-rated PHC TCF level and Provision of Service (POS) statistics for physical health assessment and intervention over 12-months were analysed. The nursing profession was associated with higher PHC TCF level than Allied Health (p <.01). While there was no significant change in PHC TCF levels, POS significantly increased over 12 months (z = -2.69, p =.007). This study demonstrated that a PHC TCF may be a useful tool to reinforce and implement physical health interventions in public mental health services.
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