Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network
The Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network (AMHOCN) was established by the Australian Government in December 2003 to provide leadership to the mental health sector to support the sustainable implementation of the outcomes and casemix collection as part of routine clinical practice.
AMHOCN aims to support states and territories and to work collaboratively with the mental health sector to achieve the vision of the introduction of outcomes and casemix measures. AMHOCN consists of three components: a data bureau responsible for receiving and processing information; an analysis and reporting component providing analysis and reports of submitted data; and a training and service development component supporting training in the measures and their use for clinical practice, service management and development purposes.
Currently, the Australian Government has contracted the following organisations to undertake these roles: Strategic Data Pty Ltd – Data Bureau; The University of Queensland – Analysis & Reporting; and The NSW Institute of Psychiatry – Training & Service Development.
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With guidance from the National Mental Health Information Development Expert Advisory Panel, AMHOCN are undertaking a review of the National Outcomes and Casemix Collection (NOCC). To be informed by extensive consultation with the mental health sector during 2012, this project aims to provide recommendations about the next stage of development of the NOCC over the next 10 year period 2014 – 2024. More information about the review, known as NOCC Strategic Directions 2014 – 2024, can be found at NOCC Strategic Directions 2014 - 2024
AMHOCN are hosting a national forum in collaboration with QLD Health. We are seeking expressions of interest for presentations to the forum. See more details on the National Forum page of our website.
AMHOCN and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists recently collaborated on the development of a consumer focussed brochure to explain outcome measurement and how it is ued in mental health services in Australia. Download How Do We Measure Change in Mental Health?
AMHOCN Training and Service Development has been tasked with developing a consumer self report measure that focuses on aspects of social inclusion and recovery. The measure, known as the Life in the Community Questionnaire (LCQ), is still in the developmental phase and we will keep you updated on this development process via our website. View additional information on the Development of the Life in the Community Questionnaire.
This report, developed by the Public Reporting Working Group of the Mental Health Information Strategy Subcommittee, provides some recommendations for the reporting of information relevant to the mental health sector across Australia. Download Developing systems for public reporting: recommendations from the MHISS Working Group.
Reporting of the K-10+ items 11, 12, 13 and 14 is now available in the Web Decision Support Tool (WDST). The first 10 items of the K-10 ask about how a person has been feeling; the last 4 items ask how those feelings may have affected the person in day-to-day activities. AMHOCN continues to welcome feedback on the WDST.