Policy Watch - Mental Health Services statistics

Statistics on detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983

29/03/2007

The NHS has published statistics for how many in-patients were formally detained under the Mental Health Act in 2005-06.

The statistics highlight key figures:

  • The number of detentions under the Act rose to 47,400 in 2005-06 from 46,700 in 2004-05. Formal admissions rose to 27,400 in 2005-06 from 26,800 in 2004-05, surpassing the previous peak of 26,900 in 1998-99.
  • At 31 March 2006, there were 14,600 patients detained in hospital, of which 12,100 were in NHS facilities and 2,500 in independent hospitals.