Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatients 2017/18

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.

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

Internet: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/topics/doh-statistics-and-research-mental-health-and-learning-disabilities/mental-health-and-learning-disability-statistics

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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