Characteristics of nine selected health authorities

	Site 1	Site 2	Site 3	Site 4	Site 5	Site 6	Site 7	Site 8	Site 9
Population size*	Medium	Large	Small	Large	Medium	Medium	Medium	Small	Large
MINI score�	94.2	117.8	100.9	101.0	93.0	90.8	105.6	103.8	100.7
ONS group�	Growth area	Inner London	Coalfield	Manufacturing	Coast and country	Most prosperous	Ports and industry	Manufacturing	Mixed urban and rural
CAMHS inpatient unit in health authority area?	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

CAMHS=child and adolescent mental health services.

^*Small <350 000; medium 350 000 to 550 000; large >550 000. Mean population of nine health authorities=491 000.

�Mental Illness Needs Index.¹ Mean MINI score of nine health authorities is 100.9 (mean MINI score of all health authorities=100)

�Office for National Statistics classifies health authorities into 11 groups.² Eight were represented by the health authorities in the sample.

References: 1. Glover GR, Robin E, Emami J, Arabscheibani GR. A needs index for mental health care. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 1998;33:89-96; 2. Office for National Statistics. Key population and vital statistics local and health authority areas. London: Stationery Office, 1998.