Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) steering group

The purpose of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) is to provide detailed information and analyses on the prevalence of both treated and untreated psychiatric disorders in the adult population (aged 16 and over) in England. It also provides trend data through comparisons with earlier surveys in the APMS series and enable the circumstances of people with different disorders to be compared with those of people without a disorder.

The results are used to inform the design and improvement of mental health services and improve understanding of the state of adult’s mental health and wellbeing.

The role of the Steering Group is advisory, and the aim is to guide the delivery of the surveys and help ensure they meet the needs of those involved in commissioning, providing or using mental health services. 

As part of this role members are asked to:

• provide direction and recommendations on priorities relating to the survey
• receive regular progress reports on milestones, risk and quality issues, including response rates and offer guidance where necessary
• provide advice and guidance on changes in data to be collected, methodology, questionnaires, sample design, processing and presentation of results
• provide advice and guidance on statistical issues relating to the survey
• resolve conflict and escalate concerns where necessary through NHS England governance paths

Members of the Steering Group do not need to be experts in survey design or statistics.

Eight meetings were held during the lifetime of the 2023/4 project, timed to reflect the Group’s interest in advising on survey content and design in the early stages of the project and on reporting findings in the later stages.

The meetings were held by Microsoft Teams Video Conference. Papers were distributed via email to members. Discussions in interim periods will also take place via email correspondence. Members were asked to attend all meetings where possible (deputising substitutes are allowed).

Papers produced for the APMS Steering Group should not be circulated outside the group membership, without the permission of the Chair. Membership of the group does not give an entitlement to pre-release access to Official Statistics.

Information will be issued in response to Freedom of Information requests in line with general FOI procedures in NHS England.  

Membership will be reviewed regularly and updated as required.