IMPACT SNAPSHOT: ReQoL Mental Health Measurement Tool

We developed a recovery-focused mental health outcome measure now selected by NHS England as one of just three recommended measures for all Community Mental Health teams.

#Sickness to Prevention
#Hospital to Community

The Yorkshire and Humber ARC’s Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) project has developed and successfully implemented a patient-reported outcome measure specifically designed for mental health services, with significant national impact.

Key Impacts:
• Selected by NHS England as one of just three recommended patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for all Community Mental Health teams nationwide.
• Tested with over 6,500 service users across 30 NHS Trusts.
• Successfully secured free licensing for NHS use and publicly funded research.
• Established a thriving Community of Practice to support implementation across services.
• Developed a web-based visualisation tool to enhance clinical utility.
• Integrated into multiple electronic patient record systems to facilitate routine use.

The ReQoL tool addresses a critical need in mental health services by providing a recovery-focused measurement instrument that helps clinicians and services understand whether they’re meeting patient needs. The measure was co-developed with service users to ensure it captures aspects of recovery most important to them, rather than simply measuring symptom reduction.

Through extensive implementation support work, including hosting national events, speaking at conferences, and developing practical resources, the ARC team has transformed ReQoL from a research tool into a widely-adopted clinical instrument. The NHS England recommendation will further expand its reach, embedding recovery-oriented measurement in mental health services across the country and helping to improve the quality and effectiveness of care for thousands of people with mental health conditions.