Sufferers' thinking process can become distorted

The study is the first detailed examination of the way the NHS in Scotland cares for people with a serious mental health condition.

Schizophrenia is a very common mental illness, affecting about one in 100 people.

Patients have periods when their thinking processes become distorted, when they may hallucinate or 'hear voices'.

Schizophrenia is often linked with violence, but very few patients actually pose a danger to the public.

The Clinical Standards Board's role is to monitor the performance of the NHS.

It aims to encourage better performance by highlighting good practice.

Progress rate

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm, responding to the report, said there were examples of good practice such as Orkney NHS Board setting up an information centre for schizophrenics and their carers.

But he admitted: "I am concerned at the rate of progress in terms of meeting these standards."

Doctor Linda Watt, who chaired the Mental Health Project Group for the board, said carers would have to adopt a systematic approach.

So far there is not a systematic approach to supporting carers in the valuable work that they do

Doctor Linda Watt

Speaking before the release of the report, Dr Watt told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme care for sufferers was normally provided in the community.

Dr Watt said: "Our report shows there are wide variations in the standards and services that trusts are able to provide.

"But the standards and the process we use have already acted as a catalyst for change to improve.

"This illness causes a lot of stress to the individuals and the families. There is evidence in our report that there is some good pro-active work being done by some individual clinicians.

"But so far there is not a systematic approach to supporting carers in the valuable work that they do."