South East Mental Health Dashboard
Data Definitions
NHS Benchmarking Network Data
Data source/frequency: The data source/frequency is included via the ‘Info’ button for each individual Dashboard metric. The majority of data metrics are taken from the MH LD Tracker, with regional data collected on a monthly basis. A small number of additional metrics are taken from annual core NHSBN projects, as below:
Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services
Adult/Older Adults’ Mental Health Services
Where data has been calculated using numerator and denominator values, these are detailed in the data tables displayed below the charts. In some instances, however, the pre-calculated values are collected, and therefore only a single value is displayed.
To assist in data interpretation, definitions have been included as below:
Admissions under the Mental Health Act: Number of MHA admissions during the month, measured as a proportion of all admissions to inpatient services.
Median waiting time for first appointment: Calculated from date of referral to date of first appointment (weeks) – routine appointments only.
Percentage of patients whose referral to second appointment time spanned more than 4 weeks: Measured from date of referral to date of second appointment (weeks) – routine appointments only.
Regional averages: Calculated as mean/median average of individual Trust reported values.
Please note that the majority of submissions are at Trust level. Therefore, for North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT), data will include both North East London and Kent and Medway. The exception to this is in the CYP mean waiting times to first appointment and CYP referral treatment times (%), where data has been submitted at borough-level and thus only the Kent & Medway data has been utilised within these two metrics.
Regional Sitrep Data
The Weekly Adult Sitrep is to provide a weekly position report on the number of adults and older adults waiting for access to MH services, Out of Area placements, availability of s136 Suite/HBPoS and Trusts’ Operation Pressure Escalation Level (OPEL). The data is provided by ICBs as well as Mental Health Trusts and is as a snapshot on the day of collection each week. The current return deadline is every Tuesdays 4pm.
To assist in data interpretation, definitions have been included as below:
Individual Systems/Trust OPEL reports: The Operation Pressure Escalation Level (OPEL) for each individual System/Trust.
OPEL 1 = The local health and social care system capacity is such that organisation are able to maintain patient flow and are able to meet anticipated demand within available resources
OPEL 2 = The local health and social care system is starting to show signs of pressure
OPEL 3 = The local health and social care system is experiencing major pressures compromising patient flow and continues to increase
OPEL 4 = Pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate, leaving organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care
Running inappropriate OAPs: The current total of inappropriate Out of Area Placements (OAPs) in mental health services, where patients are sent out of area because no bed is available for them locally.
Running total of OAPs: The combined total of appropriate and inappropriate Out of Area Placements (OAPs).
Availability of s.136 Suite/HBPoS (%): The percentage of s.136 Suites/Health-Based Place of Safety available for individuals detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
Number of people waiting to be assessed for admission: Number of patients with assessed mental health needs who require adult mental health acute inpatient care waiting for admission (not waiting in a DGH).
Number of people in non-acute setting waiting for admission: Number of patients with assessed mental health needs who require adult mental health acute inpatient care waiting for admission (waiting in a DGH).
Number of people in acute setting (DGH) waiting for admission: Number of people with an acute mental health need waiting to be assessed for mental health acute inpatient care.
Data Requests
Data can be downloaded from each metric by opening the metric and selecting ‘Download’ (top-right of the screen). Data extracts can be requested using the following form.