Population‐based indices for the funding of mental health care: a review and implications

Abstract

Population‐based indices of needs have an influence on mental health care funding. Over the last 30 years, a number of needs indices have been developed that utilise sociodemographic and service utilisation data to calculate a proxy indicator of population‐based need. This approach is used because indicators of socio‐economic disadvantage expressed as weighted deprivation show a strong relationship with mental health morbidity. In this paper, we review the existing indices, illustrate the application of these indices using east London as an example, and consider the methodological and conceptual limitations of these indices. Although none of the current indices provide a definitive picture, commissioners and providers may find them to be a useful source of contextual information, which may be useful in combination. In England, this is particularly relevant in the light of the increased liberalisation of commissioning services and changes in the funding process.

Psychosis seminars: an open forum for service users, carers and professionals

“…These boroughs are exclusively innercity areas with high prevalence rates of severe mental health problems and high levels of deprivation. 17 A member of the project team (S.T.) contacted all in-patient wards, the day hospital and community mental health teams in ELFT.…”

“…Service users, carers and mental health professionals in contact with or working for mental health services across the boroughs of City and Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets were invited to participate in the seminars. These boroughs are exclusively inner-city areas with high prevalence rates of severe mental health problems and high levels of deprivation 17 . A member of the project team (S.T.)…”

Qualität der psychiatrischen (Krankenhaus-)Versorgung – Perspektiven?

“…Die nach Maßnahmearten gegliederten Verantwortungsbereiche in den Kliniken und in den Krankenkassen stabilisieren sich derzeit weiterhin wechselseitig, was die Entwicklung von patientenorientierten Strukturen und Prozessen auf beiden Seiten behindert. Geeignete personen-und regionenbezogene Strukturen, Prozesse und daraus resultierende Kennzahlen wären zu entwickeln: für die Budgetverhandlungen ("Strukturmerkmale"), die Qualitätsberichte nach G-BA-Vorgaben, den Krankenhausvergleichund die Versorgungsforschung [24,25]. Welche Strukturmerkmale in der nun laut MdK-Gesetz vorgesehenen Strukturprüfung nach § 275 d SGB V in welcher Weise überprüft werden sollen, ist noch offen.…”

The achievements of community psychiatry – a commentary and some reflections from Australia

“…In passing it may be noted that this is much easier in capitation-funded healthcare systems such as the British National Health Service; in Australia where, as introduced earlier, part of government funded mental health care provision is on a fee-for-service basis allowing co-payment, equity is more difficult to engineer (Meadows et al 2002; Meadows & Tylee, 2013). In 2010, a review of formulae used to guide resource distribution in the UK could identify six such indices (Tulloch & Priebe, 2010). An extended amount of work was also done on this in the USA including systematic formal evaluation of the function of six such indicators in the Colorado Social Health Survey.…”