The £170 million Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme is designed to help transform the lives of thousands of people with depression and anxiety disorders by offering them access to cognitive behavioural therapies.
Evidence shows therapy is as effective as drugs
Improving access to psychological therapies is a Government priority and evidence shows therapy is as effective as drugs in the short-term and longer lasting in the long-term.
The Programme will train a new workforce of therapists at two levels who will deliver:
• high intensity therapy for people with moderate to severe conditions
• low intensity therapy for people with mild to moderate conditions.
By 2010-11, the NHS will spend £170 million per year on psychological therapies, with more than £30 million in 2008-09 and more than £100 million in 2009-10.
Over the next three years, this investment will mean:
• 900,000 more people treated for depression and anxiety
• 450,000 of them are likely to be completely cured (as expected with NICE guidelines)
• 25,000 fewer people with mental health problems on sick pay and benefits
• 3,600 more newly trained psychological therapists giving evidence based treatment
• all GP practices having access to psychological therapies as the programme rolls out.
