New sites chosen for computerised CBT

The Department of Health has chosen 11 sites to take part in a £2m pathfinder project into cognitive behavioural therapy, which will include computerised therapy for patient suffering from anxiety and depression.

The new pilots follow the success of two demonstration sites in Doncaster and Newham, set up last May. The aim of the projects is to reduce the time patients are ill and allow them to regain their independence, particularly in returning to work and finding new jobs.

The demonstration sites were linked to regional networks of improvement projects and the DH say they have shown that better access to CBT – both computerised and face-to-face – can help cure depression as well as help patients feel better.

Since then, as EHIPC reported in March, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has approved two computer-based programmes for use by the NHS and the DH released guidance on how to use the system.

PCTs are now obliged to provide computerised CBT to patients and the DH told EHIPC that they hope these pathfinder sites will encourage more trusts to embrace the technology.

“Providing this therapy as a first-line treatment for people with anxiety and depression heralds a significant shift towards providing new services closer to people at home and in the community. We hope that the pathfinder sites will further encourage trusts to offer this technology to patients.”

The 11 new sites are: Brighton & Hove City PCT, Buckinghamshire PCT, Derby City PCT, Dorset PCT, Ealing PCT, East Riding & Yorkshire PCT, Hertfordshire PCT, North Tees and Hartlepool PCT, Salford PCT, Stoke-on-Trent PCT and Bury PCT.

They were chosen after former health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, announced that PCTs could apply to take part in further pathfinder projects into CBT in May.

Health minister, Ivan Lewis, said: “Mental well being is one of the great challenges facing a modern society. Depression and anxiety are classless conditions which can equally destroy the life of the top business executive and the unemployed, low paid worker. We know that mental health problems have a serious impact on both families and our economy.

“They account for a significant proportion of sick leave in all sections of the labour market. These pathfinders point the way to a radical overhaul of mental health services with a much greater focus in future on creating access to talking therapies which ensure people are supported to make a rapid and sustainable recovery.”

The DH says that local people will benefit from the Pathfinder sites by having access to coping strategies and support as an alternative to taking sick leave from work due to depression, better support in the work place from occupational health and the opportunity to retain employment, even where the individual may suffer from stress, anxiety or depression.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of MIND said: “We know that people want a greater a choice of talking therapies when they experience mental health problems. This is why mental health charities united in the We Need To Talk coalition, making the case for expanding access to talking therapies.

“We are delighted that the announcement of the ten Pathfinder sites shows tangible and very welcome progress. This is a very important next step in making these essential therapies available to people when and where they need them, and we look forward to a full national roll-out as soon as possible.”