Statistics on referrals and initial assessments at the MOD’s 15 Military Departments of Community Mental Health are collated and published quarterly by the Defence Analysis and Statistical Advice organisation {DASA). Data for 2008 are currently being validated. DASA plans to publish data for quarters one and two of 2008 in April 2009, quarters three and four of 2008 in June and an annual report for 2008 in July. Data for the first quarter of 2009 are currently being collected.
Data provided in the following table and text below updates that provided in my previous answer to the hon. Gentleman on 13 November 2008, Official Report, column 1299W. The changes are a result of two personnel who were seen in 2007 not being recorded until 2008. Please note that all figures relate to new attendances and not referrals.
The Ministry of Defence’s 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) across the UK, plus satellite centres in Cyprus and Germany, provide out-patient mental health care for members of the armed forces. The following table provides the number of new attendances at the DCMHs during 2007.
DCMH New attendances in 2007 Aldershot 394 Brize Norton 654 Catterick 720 Colchester 340 Cranwell 239 Cyprus 82 Donnington 385 Faslane 178 Germany 578 Haslar 307 HQNI 146 Kinloss 166 Leuchars 154 Marham 211 Plymouth 488 Tidworth 379 Woolwich 228 Total 5,649
The figures record all new attendances at DCMHs (i.e. people who have not attended a DCMH previously), and therefore does not include those who were receiving treatment which started prior to January 2007.
The figures include all people who attended a DCMH appointment, not all of whom will have been subsequently diagnosed to have a mental disorder. Of the 5,649 service personnel seen for initial assessment during 2007, 3,920 personnel (69 per cent.) were diagnosed with a mental disorder.