New Zealand Mental Health Classification and Outcomes Study: Final Report

Abstract

The New Zealand Mental Health Casemix Classification and Outcomes Study (NZ-CAOS) encompasses two of the four priority areas defined under the Mental Health Research and Development Strategy (MHR&DS). The Strategy therefore provides the broad context to understand the origins and aspirations of the current project. The aim of the Research and Development Strategy is to foster research and development that will assist in the planning and improved delivery of services for those most in need (i.e. the 3% of people with serious mental illness). The Strategy has progressively developed in light of the Government’s national mental health strategy, which started in 1994 with Looking Forward: Strategic Directions for Mental Health Services. It was further developed in the Ministry of Health’s Moving Forward: The National Plan for More and Better Mental Health Services published in 1997. This was refined in the 1997 Mental Health Commission Blueprint for Mental Health Services in New Zealand, which spelt out the essential components and resource guidelines for mental health services. Funding to support the Research and Development Strategy amounts to approximately $1.6 million per year and is administered by the Health Research Council on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The overall objective of the MHR&DS is to use research and development to identify ways that will improve the planning, purchasing and delivery of mental health services in New Zealand, and which are consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi and the needs of consumers, family, whanau and other stakeholders.