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 2018.
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Key Points
Mental Health
Mental Illness and Learning Disability Census
- On 17 February 2018, 630 patients were being treated as inpatients in mental health hospitals in Northern Ireland. Over three quarters (78.6%, 495) had been resident in the hospital for less than six months, whilst 16 (2.5%) had been resident for 10 years or more (Table 1.2).
- Between 2014 and 2018, the number of patients being treated as inpatients in mental health hospitals decreased by 135 (17.6%), from 765 to 630 (Table 1.1).
- Over half (52.5%, 331) of the 630 occupied beds in mental health hospitals on 17 February 2018 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 14 (1.4%), from 996 in 2013/14 to 1,010 in 2017/18 (Table 1.4)
- During 2017/18, almost half (47.0%, 475) of compulsory admissions involved patients aged between 18 and 44 years of age (Table 1.5).
Learning Disability
- On 17 February 2018, 113 patients were being treated as inpatients in learning disability hospitals in Northern Ireland. Over one third (37.2%, 42) had been resident in the hospital for less than six months, whilst 21 (18.6%) had been resident for 10 years or more (Table 2.2).
- Between 2014 and 2018, the number of patients being treated as inpatients in learning disability hospitals decreased by 63 (35.8%), from 176 to 113 (Table 2.1).
- Over one third (35.4%, 40) of the 113 occupied beds in learning disability hospitals were assessment and treatment beds at 17 February 2018 (Table 2.3).
Compulsory Admissions
- Between 2013/14 and 2017/18, the number of compulsory admissions to learning disability hospitals under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 increased by 7 (12.1%), from 58 to 65 (Table 2.4).
- During 2017/18, just over two thirds (67.7%, 44) of compulsory admissions involved patients aged between 18 and 44 years of age (Table 2.5).
The information release is published on the Departmental website:
Notes to editors:
1. The information detailed in this publication is collected from the following statistical returns provided by HSC Trusts, Hospitals:
- KH15 & KH15b – Admissions under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986; and,
- MILD Census – Inpatients resident in Mental Health / Learning Disability Hospitals on 17th February each year.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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 2017/18 in:
Hospital Statistics: Inpatient and Day Case Activity Statistics (2017/18)
Hospital Statistics: Outpatient Activity Statistics (2017/18)
5. All information has been validated with Health & Social Care Trusts, and incorporates all returns and amendments received up to 22 August 2018.
6. Further information on Mental Health & Learning Disability Statistics is available from:
Hospital Information Branch
Department of Health
Annexe 2, Castle Buildings
Stormont, BT4 3SQ
Email: hib.questions@health-ni.gov.uk
7. For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health Press Office team on 028 9052 0575 or email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110 and your call will be returned. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt
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