The number of practicing MHOs has decreased from 728 on the 31st March 2011 to 688 on the 31st March 2012, this is a decrease of 5.5%. The staffing whole time equivalent (WTE) has decreased from 687.75 on the 31st March 2011 to 635.44 on the 31st March 2012, this is a decrease of around 8%.
The reduction in staff numbers has only impacted the non-Specialist Mental Health teams. In 2011, there were 345 MHOs compared to 304 in 2012 an reduction of nearly 12%. This has resulted in a shift to more MHOs working in Specialist Mental Health teams. In 2008 52% of MHOs worked in Specialist Mental Health teams, this has increased in 2012 to 56%.
A total of 90 MHOs left the workforce in 2011/12, of which around a third of MHOs left due to retirement and around a fifth of MHOs resigned. This is an increase of 76% from the 51 leavers reported in 2011.