McGimpsey launches Psychological Therapy Services strategy

A new Psychological Therapy Services strategy will benefit hundreds of people, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said.

The Minister was speaking as he launched a strategy for the development of psychological therapies, which include talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, family support and psycho-analytic therapies.

Speaking at the Everton Complex in Belfast, Michael McGimpsey said: “Since April 2008, £3.4million has been invested in psychological therapies and a further £1million is being invested recurrently from 2010/11. This money has been provided by both my Department and the Department for Social Development, to improve access to these therapies.”

Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood welcomed the launch of the strategy, and confirmed that funding of £2.55million had been provided by the Department for Social Development, as part of the Welfare Reform Programme.

Minister Attwood said: "I think it is fitting that my Department should invest heavily in these important services, because they are vital in ensuring the well-being of many people across Northern Ireland.

"Mental Health needs to be given the full support of government and I welcome this announcement today. It is a huge step in the right direction to help combat the issues surrounding mental health.

"Access to such services will not only benefit those who suffer from a mental health condition, it will also aid the health and well-being of their families and carers, reducing benefit dependency and levels of poverty and promoting social inclusion."

Minister McGimpsey continued: “The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability recognised the benefits of psychological therapies and called for better access to these ‘talking therapies’. Such therapies can help people to live independently as valued members of their community.

“Having this independence can help individuals in their recovery from a mental health condition, meaning that many are able to return to work. The therapies can also provide much needed support to families and carers.

“Psychological therapies can be used as an early intervention in the treatment of mild or moderate conditions. For long term or more complex conditions, these therapies can replace or complement conventional medicines by helping to relieve anxiety, depression and distress.”

The strategy recognises the benefits of relevant therapies in the treatment of particular illnesses and conditions, and covers a range of therapies for children, adolescents, adults and families. It emphasises the need for user focused services which promote a recovery ethos. It also sets out how services should be developed over the next five years, the standards which will underpin service delivery and the qualifications which therapists must have.

Minister McGimpsey concluded: “The Bamford vision is to enable people to live independent fulfilling lives in their communities. I fully support that vision.”

‘A Strategy for the Development of Psychological Therapy Services’, was developed by a reference group, including service users and their carers as well as people drawn from the statutory, voluntary and training sectors.

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Strategy is available on the DHSSPS website.

2. A key stakeholder consultation was carried out on the draft Strategy from 7 January 2009 to 27 March 2009. There were 52 responses.

3. The Strategy deals with:

• The strategic context and the impact and cost of mental disability;
• The definition of psychological therapies, the scope of the strategy and current service provision of psychological therapies;
• Service redesign, the principles for commissioning of psychological therapy services, a stepped care model for mental health and learning disability services and integrating psychological therapies into a stepped care model
• Using a stepped care model, adult mental health psychological services, child and adolescent mental health services and learning disability services;
• New Ways of Working – workforce development, staffing requirements, training, accreditation and supervision and links to professional regulatory bodies; and
• Implementation of the strategy, the development of a regional psychological therapies group, monitoring and evaluation and the promotion of research.

4. The strategy makes key recommendations to inform future service development. Under the auspices of the Bamford HSC Taskforce, a Regional Psychological Therapies Group will be established to implement this strategy and to advise on the future development of psychological therapy services.

5. ‘Beating the Blues’, designed for people with mild or moderate depression was launched by the Health Minister on 9 October 2009. This initiative will cost over £1million and will be available to up to 50,000 people.

6. The Everton Complex houses the Belfast Trust Psychological Therapy services, which include Clinical Psychology Adult Mental Health Services; Child Psychology Services including Looked After Children and Child and Family Psychological Therapies Service; Trauma Service and Administration for other Mental Health Services.

7. For further information, please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.