FAQs

  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Help and Guidance
  4. FAQs
BETA This is a new service, currently released as Public BETA  –  your feedback will help us to improve it.

On this page you can find some of our most common queries.

If you cannot find the answer you seek, or you require further assistance, please contact our support team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I've seen other Demand and Capacity tools, what is the difference between them?

CReST takes a strategic approach to demand and capacity modelling, and is very much focused on children and young people's mental health. With minimal data burden, it provides high-level analysis to consider complex questions such as "how many appointments or short-term available beds do I need to tackle my waiting list backlog?", "I am thinking of implementing a new service, how might I resource that?" or "I am completing an expression of interest for some transformation funds, what would be the impact of that funding for my local population?".

This differs from the NHS England and NHS Improvement Demand and Capacity core resources. The Demand and Capacity team have a range of resources across various sectors, not just mental health. They provide a very detailed approach to demand and capacity which offers a great depth of granularity. Their analysis takes into account staffing models and working patterns which can be extremely beneficial for Providers who wish to understand that level of detail within their organisation.

In short, their work is focussed more at an operational level and the CReST works best at a strategic level.

 

How do I gain access to the CREST?

Users can register for access to the CREST via the registration form.

Is there any guidance/tutorial documentation available?

A range of user guides and tutorial videos are available on the Help and Guidance page. These cover everything from getting access to the tool and creating your first model, to background and history of the development of the tool.

Who is the CREST aimed at?

NHS Trusts, NHS Foundation Trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups; the NHS Commissioning Board and the following organisations that provide services to the NHS; private or third sector organisations in England, shall be entitled to use the CREST free-of-charge, for the purpose of improving the availability and quality of patient services .

All other parties must seek written permission from NHS England before reproducing any of the materials contained here.

What can I use CReST for?

The CREST takes a strategic approach to the demand and capacity modelling, and is very much focused on children and young people's mental health. With minimal data burden, it provides high-level analysis to consider complex questions. For more information, click here.

What does CReST stand for?

CReST is the Children and Young People's Mental Health Referral System Management Tool.

Compatibility Issues with Internet Explorer

Many of the error messages that pop up from the system stem from using an out-dated version of Internet Explorer. To find out which version of Internet Explorer you are using please follow these simple steps.

  • In the browser menu bar click the Help button
  • Open this menu and click the About Internet Explorer button
  • A window appears like the one below, the number next to Internet Explorer will tell you which version you are using.

Functionality of the website may be limited when using Internet Explorer.

We recommend using Microsoft Edge or Chrome browsers for the best user experience. Please also ensure that IE7 compatibility is disabled.

How do I include my DNA rate within the ‘points of contact’ (or number of sessions per accepted referral)?

If you take your average number of appointments per accepted referral where they are attended (e.g 5.7) and then calculate the average number of appointments that are normally ‘did not attends’ (e.g. 0.6). By adding these together you will reach your total average appointments per accepted referral, including your DNA rate (e.g. 6.3). For more support on this, please feel free to contact our team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

How do I get help quickly?

Our support team are available Monday to Friday 9:00 to 5:00. They can be contacted via the 'Contact Us' link at the top of the page, or by emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What counts as a referral for the purposes of this tool?

When entering your average referrals per year into the model, you should include all Face to Face, Telephone, and Online contacts you anticipate.

My password isn’t working, what can I do?

Please click on the ‘Forgot your Password’ link on the log in page of the tool. You will be prompted to enter your email address, after which a new password will be emailed to you.

Please get in touch with our support team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any further difficulties.

Tech Specs

While we take every care to make the System compatible with a wide range of web browsers it is not possible for us to anticipate every possible combination of browser and configuration.

If you come across issues using this site it is usually a good idea to grab a friendly local IT guy to check any potential local issues first!

We will support and regularly test the site using the majority of browsers currently in use, specifically the following browsers :

  • Internet Explorer (IE) 11
  • Edge – latest version
  • Google chrome - latest version
  • Firefox - latest version
  • Opera - latest version
  • Safari – latest version

 

Beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system receives technical support and security updates.

Windows 10 features Microsoft Edge. Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Edge as your default browser and supports Internet Explorer 11 for backward compatibility.

We would recommend that browser versions are kept up to date to ensure the best functionality and security.

Lifecycle information for Internet Explorer and other Microsoft products can be found here :

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/lifecycle#gp/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer.

 

Internet Explorer Users ! Make sure that compatibility mode is Switched OFF ! 

This site should work fine with Mobile devices, it is designed around responsive template. 

 

This site does use Javascript

This site should not need any active X controls or plugins to work.

This site uses cookies; Without the cookies you would need to login separately to every page!

If cookies are disabled in your browser the login system won't work and you will not be able to access any non public pages.

Please ensure cookies are enabled

I've opened one of my previously saved models but the chart is blank?

If the chart appears blank after loading one of your previously saved scenarios you will need to press the 'Run Model' button in order to re-draw the chart

Can I use my old login details with the new tool?

You will need a new account to access the new system, we will not be transferring accounts from the old system.

However creating accounts is a very simple process. If you have an existing NHS.net account you can create a new account to gain immediate access to the tool. If you do not have an NHS.net account please use the registration form.

Can I still access the SDMT ?

The SDMT developed by HCD will continue to be available.  
It has been moved to the following address : http://v1.cypmh-model.nhs.uk/ . 

You should be able to access all your saved models and use the same access credentials that you have previously used (username / password).  

There are no new features or functions planned for the SDMT, we will be focussing on developing the new tool (CReST) to incorporate the key features.  

Can I Still Get a Login for the SDMT ?

We are not currently accepting requests for logins to the SDMT.

We recommend new users migrate to using CReST and we will be developing CReST further to incorporate additional key features in line with user feedback

Can I Still Get Help for the SDMT

All the support and guidance documents and files are still available for the SDMT.
You can access them via the documents page.

We will be mainly focusing on supporting CReST going forwards, we will not be developing any new features or functions into the SDMT or providing any bug fixes. 

NHS.UK