Outcome-based providing and commissioning: pathways and standards

Aims and method Implementation of evidence-based psychosocial interventions in accordance with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines and quality standards has been incomplete. This project involved allocation of adults under mental health services to six guideline categories, completion of a clinician-and patient-rated outcome measure, and individual assessment against clinical standards. Results In the first 3 months of the project, 5048 patients were allocated to a pathway and 3734 (73%) were assessed against at least one of the relevant standards. All were assessed using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (91-93% of scales completed) and 1866 (36%) completed the patient-rated outcome measure, DIALOG. Clinical implications Clinicians will allocate patients to pathways, complete outcome measures and assess against standards, providing data to guide practice, service design and costing of mental health systems with supporting technology to assist data entry and presentation. This has the potential to provide much improved and readily accessible information about individual outcomes and standards for people with mental health problems and those working with them. It could also provide a method for payment for services which directly support good clinical practice.