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News - Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, St. Albans Hertfordshire UK |
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| Ashridge Ward |
| Hertfordshire leads the way on new ‘talking therapy’ teams |
| Date : - 03/07/2009 |
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Collaboration between Hertfordshire GPs and the county’s specialist NHS trust for mental health has created a new ‘talking therapy’ service for people who need help in dealing with anxiety and depression.
This new Hertfordshire NHS service has got off to a great start, and in the three months of 2009 helped more people make progress towards recovery than in any county in the East of England.
Under the new service each patient has a rapid assessment within 10 days of the initial referral. They can then choose to have their treatment in a combination of ways: with an NHS therapist in their GP’s surgery, over the phone, or even using a special website. This allows patients to fit their therapy around their busy lives, and remain in work whilst having treatment.
In most of Hertfordshire GP practices are now linked up with specially trained therapy teams, and by early 2010 there will be full coverage across the whole of county.
Dr Wendy Sainsbury, a GP in Watford commented: “I see many people with anxiety and depression. Previously there was usually a long wait to see a therapist but the new scheme has allowed people to be seen soon after referral, in their local surgery. Feedback from patients shows that people feel better sooner with this added treatment and can return to normal life more quickly.”
Dr Tony Kostick, a GP in Stevenage, commented: "I am pleased to be able to offer my patients ‘talking therapies’, as mental health issues are often very difficult for people to talk about. Taking the first step - speaking to a GP, or someone else who can help - can be very hard. ‘Talking therapies’ enable us as GPs to help people with signs of anxiety and depression early, and provide them with the support and information they need, at what can be a very difficult time in their lives.”
The new services are part of a nationally-funded project called ‘Improved access to psychological therapies’ (IAPT).
In the past 18 months more than 70 extra therapists have been appointed across Hertfordshire, and by the spring of 2010 there will be 113 of the new therapy posts, based in eight local centres around the county. In addition the new service will also provide 10 specialist employment advisors, who will help people to stay in work, or return to employment.
Monitoring of the new Hertfordshire service shows that of 1,670 referrals in the three months from 1 Jan to 31 March 2009 over 180 people have already made progress towards recovery. This is more than in any of the counties in the East of England which have joined the IAPT scheme.
Commenting on these developments, which have been introduced in stages since the start of 2008, senior project manager Judith Watt said “This long-waited new service is making a real difference to people in towns and village throughout the county. We are getting very positive feedback from those using the service.“
People who have been feeling depressed or anxious for some time should contact their GP in the first instance, and ask about a referral to the new services.
For more detail on what the new service offers please see:
/our-services/community-services/enhanced-prmary-mental-health-servcies/
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| Reference : - www.hertspartsft.nhs.uk/ |
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