Mental health inpatient activity
A National Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 23 November 2021
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
Data summary
Overview of the latest data
Main points
- In 2020/2021, there were 49,610 mental health discharges, a decrease of 6% from 2019/2020.
- Since 2016/2017 there have been more discharges for mental health conditions from non-psychiatric specialties than from psychiatric specialties.
- In 2020/2021, the most common diagnosis for mental health discharges was mental & behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use.
- Since 1997/1998 the number of patients treated in hospital for mood (affective) disorders has seen a steady decline from 7,040 to 2,830, a larger decrease than any other diagnostic group.
- In 2020/2021, people living in the most deprived areas were around three times more likely to experience inpatient mental health care than people living in the least deprived areas.
- 35% of people who experienced mental health inpatient care in 2020/2021 were in the age range 40 - 64 years. This was the most common age group.
- Of the patients who experienced mental health inpatient care in 2020/2021, 54% were male. However, in the under-18 age category, 65% of patients were female.
- In 2020/2021, most mental health inpatients were treated within the NHS Board area in which they lived, with approximately 5% treated elsewhere.
The information is drawn from the patients’ NHS Board of residence and treatment and runs up to 31 March 2021. Patients receiving inpatient care in psychiatric facilities generate records held nationally on Scottish Morbidity Record 04 (SMR04). Patients receiving care as inpatients and day cases in non-psychiatric (acute) hospitals generate records held nationally on Scottish Morbidity Record 01 (SMR01).
View the publication summary (PDF).