The Department of Health today published statistics on inpatients and compulsory admissions in mental health and learning disability hospitals in Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2019.
Key Points
Mental Illness and Learning Disability Census
- On 17 February 2019, 615 patients were being treated as inpatients in mental health hospitals in Northern Ireland. Almost four fifths (79.8%, 491) had been resident in the hospital for less than six months, whilst 10 (1.6%) had been resident for 10 years or more (Table 1.2).
- Between 2015 and 2019, the number of patients being treated as inpatients in mental health hospitals decreased by 68 (10.0%), from 683 to 615 (Table 1.1).
- Almost three fifths (57.6%, 354) of the 615 occupied beds in mental health hospitals on 17 February 2019 were acute beds (Table 1.3).
Compulsory Admissions
- Over the last five years, the number of compulsory admissions to mental health hospitals under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 increased by 119 (12.1%), from 987 in 2014/15 to 1,106 in 2018/19 (Table 1.4)
- During 2018/19, the highest number of compulsory admissions was recorded in the 18 to 44 years age group (504, 45.6%) (Table 1.5)
Learning Disability
Mental Illness and Learning Disability Census
- On 17 February 2019, 96 patients were being treated as inpatients in learning disability hospitals in Northern Ireland. Over one fifth (21.9%, 21) had been resident in the hospital for less than six months, whilst 15 (15.6%) had been resident for 10 years or more (Table 2.2).
- Between 2015 and 2019, the number of patients being treated as inpatients in learning disability hospitals decreased by 48 (33.3%), from 144 to 96 (Table 2.1).
- Half (50.0%, 48) of the 96 occupied beds in learning disability hospitals were assessment and treatment beds at 17 February 2019 (Table 2.3).
Compulsory Admissions
- Between 2014/15 and 2018/19, the number of compulsory admissions to learning disability hospitals under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 decreased by 23 (39.7%), from 58 to 35 (Table 2.4).
- During 2018/19, three fifths (60.0%, 21) of compulsory admissions involved patients aged between 18 and 44 years of age (Table 2.5).
Notes to editors:
1. The information release is published on the Departmental website.
2. The information detailed in this publication is collected from the following statistical returns provided by HSC Trusts, Hospitals:
- KH15 and KH15b – Admissions under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986; and,
- MILD Census – Inpatients resident in Mental Health / Learning Disability Hospitals on 17 February each year.
3. Historically this statistical information, including detailed commentary, was published as the ‘Hospital Statistics: Mental Health and Learning Disability’ publication. However, following a National Statistics Consultation in October 2015, it was agreed to discontinue this publication and replace it with a set of downloadable EXCEL data tables (no commentary).
4. The downloadable EXCEL tables present information on (i) compulsory admissions under the 1986 Mental Health (NI) Order and (ii) a census of mental illness and learning disability inpatients resident in hospital on 17 February.
5. Information on inpatient, day case and consultant-led outpatient activity for the mental health and learning disability specialties, previously detailed in the ‘Hospital Statistics: Mental Health and Learning Disability’ publication, has already been published for 2018/19 in:
Hospital Statistics: Inpatient and Day Case Activity Statistics (2018/19)
Hospital Statistics: Outpatient Activity Statistics (2018/19)
6. All information has been validated with Health and Social Care Trusts, and incorporates all returns and amendments received up to 9 August 2019.
Further information on Mental Health and Learning Disability Statistics is available from:
Hospital Information Branch
Department of Health
Annexe 2, Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast BT4 3SQ
Email: hib.questions@health-ni.gov.uk
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