Commissioning IAPT: equity of access

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Improving equity of access to psychological therapies - An inquiry into the factors effecting equity of access to primary care psychological therapies (IAPT)

  • IRAS ID

    142916

  • Contact name

    David Murphy

  • Contact email

    david.murphy@nottingham.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Nottingham

  • Research summary

    What are the factors associated with the positive experience and outcomes for service users and providers of psychological therapies services? Charting the journey from referral to discharge.

    Why?
    Reports suggest that one in four people experience a mental health problem at some point in their life and one in six experience a mental health problem at any one time. Mental health problems significantly impact upon family and friends as well as those directly affected. There is a huge financial and economic impact on society costing billions of pounds per year.

    What?
    The government significantly increased investment in psychological therapies as the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) rolled out since 2006. Despite National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) treatment guidance there is significant regional variations in practice. Long term effectiveness and sustainability of IAPT is yet unknown. With so many people predicted to experience mental health problems it is important that services meet the needs of those seeking help and support.

    Who?
    This small scale study will investigate the experience of being in a IAPT service from the point of referral through delivery and outcome. The experiences of Service Users, General Practitioners, psychological therapists and users’ perspectives will be collected, alongside those of the CAS staff, Commissioners in the CCG and 3rd sector organisations.

    Where?
    The study will be carried out in primary care services, IAPT services in Nottingham city, 3rd sector organisations and private residences.

    How?
    Over a period of six months we will carry out interviews with staff and users of services to gain an understanding of experiences. Where possible will also use anonymous data from the Clinical Commissioning Group database and provider services to carry out an investigation of outcomes for the range of therapies available through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services.

  • REC name

    East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    13/EM/0439

  • Date of REC Opinion

    16 Jan 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion