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What is the history of IAPT? The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (IAPT) has evolved from a paper first tabled by health economist Lord Richard Layard in 2005. Layard reasoned that funding by the Department of Health (DH) to improve provision of psychological therapies in the treatment of depression and anxiety, would positively impact on the number of people who are fit to work. This increase would consequently reduce the cost of Incapacity Benefit for this section of the population, leading to potential savings for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). In bringing together prevalence statistics for depression and anxiety, costs of training and employing therapists, potential cost savings in the DWP, and the benefits to individuals and society of improved mental health and wellbeing, Layard was able to make a strong case for investment by central government. Layard strengthened this economic argument with a moral and clinical one highlighting the inequitable and patchy nature of current psychological therapy provision, long waiting times, and lack of consistency in implementing NICE guidelines for depression and anxiety. Based on the NICE guidelines (2004), Layard's proposed solution was for the provision of treatment centres offering evidence based psychological therapies and psychological support. This proposal achieved £3.7million funding to set up demonstration sites in Doncaster and Newham, and saw the launch of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme (IAPT) in England. LINKS |
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