Mental health payment by results tariff stalled

Creating an NHS payment by results tariff for mental health services remains a challenge which mental health trusts and service commissioners have failed to address, according to the NHS Confederation.

A survey published today by the NHS Confederation’s mental health network found that half of all mental health trusts have not yet begun to devise a tariff for mental health.

The report predicts that it is unlikely the Department of Health deadline to run all mental health services on payment by results from the beginning of 2012-13 will be met.

At more than £11bn pounds per year, more NHS money is spent on mental health than any other single group of conditions and illnesses.

DH guidance issued earlier this year said trusts should be able to categorise their adult mental health services into 21 “clusters” by 31 December. This is intended to be the basis for agreeing local prices for 2012-13.

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