DATE: 19 January 2016
NEWS RELEASE
More than 5,000 people turn to new mental health service
More than 5,000 people have turned to a new mental health service being
delivered by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
The Psychological Wellbeing Service was launched only four months ago to
help those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.
Previously patients had to be referred by their GPs. But in September people
were allowed the opportunity to refer themselves to the service following
investment from commissioners. They can still be referred by their doctor.
On Monday, (18 January), the 5,000th patient began receiving help from the
service - just 20 weeks after it was launched. There were 2,374 patients who
self-referred to the service while the remainder were referrals from doctors
and other health professionals.
Encouraged: Dr James Clarke
In December alone, 1,008 people entered treatment. When first launched,
the service was set a target of just under 1,000 people a month, but clinicians did not expect to hit that figure so
soon.
Dr James Clarke, service lead for the Psychological Wellbeing Service, said: “We are pleased that we have
been able to help so many people already.
“We knew that previously that it may have been a big step for people to visit their doctor and say they want help
with their mental health. We’ve removed that barrier now, and we’re glad that so many people have come
forward already.”
Anyone living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, who is registered with a GP, can self-refer to the
Psychological Wellbeing Service. Treatments available include individual therapy, guided self-help, group
sessions including training in Mindfulness, a range of psychotherapy courses and online options.
More follows…
More than 5,000 people turn to new mental health service
Dr Clarke said: “We set out to see more people, more quickly, but the real benefits of the service will be shown
by how people respond to the treatments we are offering them.
“It is still very early days, but we are encouraged by the feedback we are getting from the people who have
entered the service.
“In surveys carried out over 98 per cent of patients have described themselves as satisfied with their overall
treatment with the service and their therapist, and approximately two thirds of patients report a very significant
reduction in their symptoms on completion of treatment
“Accessing the treatments offered by Psychological Wellbeing Service will help them to continue achieving
improvements in their lives.”
Anyone registered with a GP in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area can access the Psychological
Wellbeing Service by completing an online form that can be found on the Trust’s website www.cpft.nhs.uk. They
will be then be contacted by someone from the Trust and talked through the options available to them.
Alternatively, the service can be contacted by calling 0300 300 0055. The lines are open from 9am to 5pm,
Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
People can also print the self-referral form off the website, fill it in, and send it to The Psychological Wellbeing
Service (IAPT), Grebe House, Gloucester Centre, Morpeth Close, Orton Longueville, Peterborough,
PE2 7JU.
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ENDS
About Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
CPFT provides mental health services, community services, learning disability services and social care services
across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough along with children’s community services in Peterborough.
CPFT also is a designated Cambridge University Teaching Trust and a member of Cambridge University Health
Partners, one of only five Academic Health Science Centres in England.
We employ more than 3,400 staff. Our main bases are at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough and Fulbourn
Hospital, Cambridge, but our staff can be found at more than 50 locations.
For more information please contact:
Andy Burrows
Communications Manager
E [email protected]
T 01223 726767