We are requesting this information under the Freedom of Information Act
1. The number of Mental Health Assessments (MHA) assessments arranged and attended by an Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP) in 2022 (we appreciate that some may be arranged, the AMHP (and doctors) may attend but the assessment cannot be completed for a variety of reasons)?
2357.
2. The number of MHA assessments completed in 2022 (ideally broken down by outcome eg detention under s2, detention under s3, no detention- referral to Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) etc)?
| Mental Health Act Section | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
| Informal | 245 | 248 |
| Section 2 | 579 | 532 |
| Section 3 | 193 | 176 |
| Section 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Section 5(2) | 158 | 127 |
| Section 5(4) | 19 | 20 |
| Section 35 | 1 | 0 |
| Section 36 | 0 | 1 |
| Section 37 | 2 | 4 |
| Section (37(N)) | 2 | 5 |
| Section 37/41 | 9 | 9 |
| Section 38 | 0 | 3 |
| Section 45A | 0 | 2 |
| Section 47 | 1 | 1 |
| Section 47/49 | 4 | 3 |
| Section 48/49 | 5 | 8 |
3. The number of MHA assessments arranged and attended by an AMHP in 2023?
2332.
4. The number of MHA assessments completed in 2023 (again, ideally broken down by outcome)?
Please see question 2.
5. The number of assessments undertaken in 2023 on out of area individuals (i.e. those registered with GPs in other local authority/ICB areas but currently located within your boundaries)?
Devon County Council has not undertaken any assessments for out of area individuals in 2023.
6. The number of assessments undertaken in 2023 which were conducted out of area (i.e. those involving patients registered with a GP in your local authority/ICB area but currently located in another area)?
Devon County Council has not undertaken any out of area assessments in 2023.
7. Where you commission independent/self-employed AMHPs to undertake MHA assessments what is the standard fee (in 2023) you pay them?
We employ Locum and Agency AMHPs to cover vacancies.
These AMHPs are not paid a fee per Mental Health Act assessment, instead they are paid by the hour for the length of a shift which range between 8 – 11.5 hours excluding breaks.
- Locum AMHP: £24.08 + 20% unsocial hours payment: £28.89
- Agency AMHP: £48
8. Do you make payment to the (independent/self-employed) AMHP where an assessment cannot be completed (but the AMHP attends the arranged location)? (if so, is this at the same rate?)
Locum and Agency AMHPs are paid an hourly rate to cover a shift, rather than being paid a standard fee per Mental Health Act assessment.
9. Do you make payment for mileage incurred to undertake assessments? If so, what is the rate (in 2023)?
Yes. Paid at £0.45 per mile.
10. Is this same mileage rate paid to substantive/rota AMHPS as well as independent/self-employed AMHPs?
Yes, the same mileage rate is paid to all post holders.