HoNOS

Health of the Nation Outcome Scales. A system for measuring the health and social functioning of people with severe mental illness, which was commissioned by UK Department of Health (DoH) in 1993 and developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Research Unit (CRU). The aim was to provide a means of recording progress towards the DoH’s Health of the Nation target “to improve significantly the health and social functioning of mentally ill people”. In 1996, the CRU reported a 12-item instrument measuring behaviour, impairment, symptoms and social functioning. HoNOSs can be completed after routine clinical assessments in any setting and have various uses for clinicians, researchers and administrators, but especially health care commissioners and providers. HoNOSs are the outcome measure most widely used by English mental health services.
HoNOS scales
Each is rated from 0 (no problems) to 4 (severe problems):
• Behavioural disturbance.
• Non-accidental self injury.
• Problem Drinking or Drug Use.
• Cognitive Problems.
• Problems related to physical illness or disability.
• Problems associated with hallucinations and delusions.
• Problems associated with depressive symptoms.
• Other mental and behavioural problems.
• Problems with social or supportive relationships.
• Problems with activities of daily living.
• Overall problems with living conditions.
• Problems with work and leisure activities and the quality of the daytime environment.