Mental Health Act assessments in 2022 and 2023
Case reference FOI2024/00242
Published 21 February 2024
Request
I have provided a shortened version of the request below and would be grateful if you could provide what you are able to and indicate which aspects might still take longer than the specified limits.
1) The number of MHA assessments completed in 2022?
2) The number of MHA assessments completed in 2023?
3) Where you commission independent/self-employed AMHPs to undertake MHA assessments what is the standard fee (in 2023) you pay them?
4) Do you make payment to the (independent/self-employed) AMHP where an MHA assessment cannot be completed (but the AMHP attends the arranged location)? (if so, is this at the same rate?)
5) Do you make payment for mileage incurred to undertake assessments? If so, what is the rate (in 2023)?
6) Is this same mileage rate paid to substantive/rota AMHPS as well as independent/self-employed AMHPs?
Ultimately, what we are trying to understand is the number of assessments which may involve independent doctors/GPs who subsequently claim for their attendance at an assessment from the ICB (or other organisation under a s75 agreement).
Therefore, within the definition of 'MHA assessment', as well as assessments for detention under sections 2, 3 and 4, please could you include s7 (Guardianship) assessments (as this may involve these doctors) but exclude s17F (as the RC would not be claiming for revoking a CTO as a discrete MHA assessment undertaken). In respect of s136 please could you include where patients are interviewed at the place of safety by the AMHP (as per s136(2)).
Response
I have provided a shortened version of the request below and would be grateful if you could provide what you are able to and indicate which aspects might still take longer than the specified limits.
1) The number of MHA assessments completed in 2022?
A) 413
2) The number of MHA assessments completed in 2023?
A) 404
3) Where you commission independent/self-employed AMHPs to undertake MHA assessments what is the standard fee (in 2023) you pay them?
A) N/A, we do not employ self-employed AMHPs.
4) Do you make payment to the (independent/self-employed) AMHP where an MHA assessment cannot be completed (but the AMHP attends the arranged location)? (if so, is this at the same rate?)
A) We do not employ self-employed AMHPs.
5) Do you make payment for mileage incurred to undertake assessments? If so, what is the rate (in 2023)?
A) Yes, payment for mileage incurred to undertake assessments for substantive/rota AMHPS was 45 pence per mile in 2023.
6) Is this same mileage rate paid to substantive/rota AMHPS as well as independent/self-employed AMHPs?
A) N/A, we do not employ self-employed AMHPs.
Ultimately, what we are trying to understand is the number of assessments which may involve independent doctors/GPs who subsequently claim for their attendance at an assessment from the ICB (or other organisation under a s75 agreement).
Therefore, within the definition of 'MHA assessment', as well as assessments for detention under sections 2, 3 and 4, please could you include s7 (Guardianship) assessments (as this may involve these doctors) but exclude s17F (as the RC would not be claiming for revoking a CTO as a discrete MHA assessment undertaken). In respect of s136 please could you include where patients are interviewed at the place of safety by the AMHP (as per s136(2)).
Documents
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