Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
Mental health service data remains less comprehensive and granular than physical health services
Conclusion
Compared to physical health services, data for mental health services are less comprehensive and granular. The Department and NHSE acknowledged that data for mental health services still lag behind that for physical health services, but argued that they have taken “powerful” measures. For example, the Department and NHSE told us that, historically, the use of block contracts for mental health services was a disincentive to collecting cost data, but that they have shifted towards more of an activity-based payment system for mental health.19
Government Response Summary
The government will implement MHSDS v6 by April 2024 and v7 by April 2025 to improve data recording and patient-level cost tracking. NHS England also aims for 50% of relevant patients to record paired outcome scores by year-end and has commissioned an evaluation of Mental Health Support Teams.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Target implementation date: January 2024 2.2. NHS England is working to improve the recording of information on patient need, as well as other areas, through the implementation of the Mental Health Services Dataset (MHSDS) version 6 in April 2024. The version 7 update, which is currently scheduled for April 2025, is likely to include the introduction of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) - 11 diagnostic standard, and support for the new mental health currencies in development, which will better track patient-level costs. Integrated care systems can access data from the MHSDS for commissioning services, service planning, monitoring performance and reporting on performance. 2.3 As part of improving data on patient outcomes, NHS England is aiming to have 50% of patients in Children and Young People (CYP), perinatal and adult community mental health services recording a paired outcome score (where the patients have the same outcome measure recorded at least twice so progress can be measured) by the end of the year where the outcomes data quality key performance applies, and will look to extend that target in future strategies. Furthermore, an independent impact evaluation of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) has also been commissioned via the National Institute of Health Research, which will include a cost effectiveness analysis of MHSTs. These improvements collectively will put the department and NHS England in a better position to jointly assess the effectiveness of different interventions that have been implemented and will be used to inform the creation of future strategies. 2.4 DHSC will provide an update in January 2024 as part of its joint letter with NHS England to the Committee.