The Centre for the Economics of Mental Health (CEMH) at King’s College London is one of three centres that make up the Health Services and Population Research Department (HSPRD), and is led by its Director, Professor Martin Knapp.

CEMH comprises of a team of globally-renowned health economists, and the work it do is well described by one’s name: it look at the economic aspects of mental health. Using economic methods and tools, it examine policy and practice questions, primarily in the mental health field, but sometimes in other areas such as stroke, neurology, cancer and social care.

Collaborations
Most CEMH studies are carried out collaboratively, often with colleagues in the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London. It also works alongside teams in many other UK universities and with groups abroad.

Its role in many of these collaborations is to contribute economic evaluation expertise. The eight academic staff currently in CEMH is engaged on over 100 studies.

Economic evaluation is increasingly recognised as essential. Commissioners, providers and policy makers want to know not only whether a treatment or service arrangement is effective, but also whether it is cost-effective.

Specialisation
CEMH staff are specialists in the mental health field. It has national and international reputations for work and its practice, policy and academic impacts.

It also has specialist skills in other areas – particularly stroke, autism, diabetes and palliative care – where it applies economic methods to policy and practice studies.

Practice and policy impacts
much of its work at the practice level looks at the cost-effectiveness of treatment or care arrangements, and it aim to publish findings in clinical and health services journals that are read by people responsible for practice decisions.

CEMH work has also informed policy discussion in the Department of Health, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Scottish Executive.

It has also been heavily cited in reports from the National Audit Office, and is regularly used by interest groups such as the Alzheimer’s Society, National Autistic Society, Rethink and think tanks such as the King’s Fund.

The award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the whole Department (HSPRD) illustrates that our work is held in high esteem.

Contact Detail:
Centre for the Economics of Mental Health
Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London
Health Service and Population Research Department
PO24 David Goldberg Centre
De Crespigny Park
London SE5 8AF
Phone: 020 7848 0198
Fax: 020 7848 7600