Review and update of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Elderly People (HoNOS65+).

Aims and methodThe Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Elderly People (HoNOS65+) has been used widely for 20 years, but has not been updated to reflect contemporary clinical practice. The Royal College of Psychiatrists convened an advisory board, with expertise from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, to propose amendments. The aim was to improve rater experience when using the HoNOS65+ glossary by removing ambiguity and inconsistency, rather than a more radical revision.

A review and update of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS).

Unlabelled: Aims and method The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and its older adults' version (HoNOS 65+) have been used widely for 20 years, but their glossaries have not been revised to reflect clinicians' experiences or changes in service delivery. The Royal College of Psychiatrists convened an international advisory board, with UK, Australian and New Zealand expertise, to identify desirable amendments. The aim was to improve rater experience by removing ambiguity and inconsistency in the glossary rather than more radical revision.

Estimating the number of adults with severe and persistent mental illness who have complex, multi-agency needs.

Objective: A population health approach to mental health service planning requires estimates that align interventions with the needs of people with mental illness. The primary objective was to estimate the number of people in Australia living with severe and persistent mental illness who have complex, multi-agency needs. The secondary objective was to describe the possible service needs of individuals with severe mental illness.

Planning estimates for the mental health community support sector.

Objective: To describe the approach undertaken to derive planning estimates for the mental health community support sector in Queensland, Australia.

Methods: We quantified the needs for services by calculating the prevalence of mental illness in Queensland and by stratifying mental illness by severity. A taxonomy of services in the mental health community support sector was developed and target groups for services identified.

Developing a New Zealand casemix classification for mental health services.

This study aimed to develop a casemix classification of characteristics of New Zealand mental health services users. Over a six month period, patient information, staff time and service costs were collected from 8 district health boards. This information was analysed seeking the classification of service user characteristics which best predicted the cost drivers of the services provided.

Adult mental health needs and expenditure in Australia.

Background: Relatively little international work has examined whether mental health resource allocation matches need. This study aimed to determine whether adult mental health resources in Australia are being distributed equitably.

Method: Individual measures of need were extrapolated to Australian Areas, and Area-based proxies of need were considered.

Australia's National Mental Health Strategy.

Background: Australia commenced a 5-year reform of mental health services in 1993.

Aims: To report on the changes to mental health services achieved by 1998.

Method: Analysis of data from the Australian National Mental Health Report 2000 and an independent evaluation of the National Mental Health Strategy.