‘Health of the Nation’: measuring mental health outcomes

A set of brief outcome scales for use in everyday clinical practice to enable clinicians and managers to talk in terms of outcomes as well as processes such as admissions, beds and face-to-face contacts.

Abstract

Two years ago, the government set out a strategy for improving health in ways that can be measured. Health of the Nation set down specific targets, including those for reductions in death rates from heart disease, cancer and accidents. For mental health, targets are more difficult to specify. The goal the government set is “to improve significantly the health and social functioning of mentally ill people”.