Transformation programme

Programme vision

“We will strive to be an outstanding provider of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) mental health services in England ensuring people with mental and physical health problems receive timely joined up health care moving towards recovery and mental health resilience.”

The IAPT team are working to improve the service and increase the number of people accessing talking therapy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We are working in partnership with primary care networks, voluntary sector organisations, people with lived experience and community mental health services to make these changes.

We are also actively engaging with the community mental health transformation programme.

A team of from our Trust’s Business Development team are supporting with this transformation.

We want to hear from you

We are actively looking for stakeholders to engage with us in transforming the IAPT service. If you are interested in being part of our working groups or giving your thoughts on any part of the service, email:

What we have achieved so far

You can read about what has been achieved so far in our November transformation bulletin below.

14 November 2022

Dosage

Our therapists offer a NICE-compliant dosage of therapy. We offer a stepped model, meaning people will generally be offered the least intrusive intervention first, which can be ‘stepped up’ if there is no improvement.

NICE-recommended interventions

The range of therapies offered has increased and now includes counselling for depression, couples therapy for depression, and interpersonal therapy. To complement the existing stress busters and finding yourself again courses, we also offer mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

Courses

There is a new offer of courses focussing on menopause, sleep and living with long-term health conditions. A course for older adults is being planned.

Workforce

We have trained an additional 37 psychological wellbeing practitioner therapists in 2021-22. They are able to provide low-intensity interventions.

We have also trained 20 high-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapists and a further cohort of CBT trainees are soon to begin their training, increasing our capacity for high intensity CBT interventions.

In addition, we have recruited 8 qualified counsellors, some of which are already able to provide couples therapy for depression and interpersonal therapy. Whilst the others will begin training in the new year. A number of professional leads and managers have been recruited to support therapists in delivering a quality offer.

Referral form

Referral into our service has become a quicker and easier process following feedback from our stakeholders and service users that the form was too long and complicated. The form has been streamlined and people can self-refer online. Any health care professional can complete the form on their patient’s behalf.

Treatment rooms

We have opened a new mid-Cornwall hub in Roche, providing an easily accessible option for people wanting in-person therapy in mid-Cornwall.

We are now able to offer in-person treatment in all 3 ICAs. Locations are Bude, Liskeard, Saltash, Roche, Wadebridge, Hayle, Penzance and Redruth.

Of course, we continue to offer patient choice for therapy and people can continue to access therapy via online video appointments or over the telephone.

Information for you and your patients

We have published a new information leaflet (PDF, 70 KB), which can be shared with patients. Please feel free to share this with people who you think would benefit.

We have also updated our IAPT webpages.

National IAPT service name consultation

There is currently a national acknowledgement that the IAPT name is not helpful in describing what the service offers. Find out more about the service name consultation and engage in the brand refresh consultation process.

More information

For further information or questions, email Gilly Hughes.