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Engaging with IAPT
How is BACP working with IAPT at the local level?
IAPT sites in England
BACP is keen that IAPT should be implemented in the spirit in which it was intended, i.e. that it is introduced in a way that recognises and engages with existing services, in order that standards, equity and choice are improved across the board.
BACP has been working to inform members about IAPT through BACP journals but recognises the need to do more to encourage the two-way flow of information. To this end the Association has contracted Dr Sara Perren to research how BACP members are being impacted and engaged with IAPT at the local level and to encourage local liaison. Sara is an accredited member of BACP, a researcher and a practitioner with NHS experience. Her contracted work for BACP focuses on IAPT in England and involves:
- Representing BACP at the national IAPT Expert Reference Group
- Visiting IAPT sites
- Meeting with local IAPT leads
- Meeting with networks of BACP members in IAPT areas
- Responding to queries from members in IAPT areas
- Facilitating effective and clear communication between BACP and the membership about IAPT
Contact Sara by email: sara.perren@bacp.co.uk
IAPT and the wider NHS England
BACP recognises that it is not just areas that are receiving funding which are taking the IAPT agenda forward. There is a climate of change for psychological therapy provision with many PCTs and commissioners looking to adapt and adopt some of the principles of IAPT within current local funding arrangements. This is resulting in some PCTs recommissioning primary care psychological therapies so that services are more in line with Department of Health requirements for the equitable provision of NICE compliant psychological therapies.
BACP's healthcare team and senior management are working to develop the Association's understanding of the wider influence of IAPT and the impact on service provision, commissioning and design. They are also working to increase effective communication on IAPT across the membership, and support the work with members in IAPT site localities. This includes:
- Representation on, and links to, national IAPT working groups
- Monitoring the influence of IAPT across the NHS
- Developing an understanding of the needs and roles of BACP members, commissioners, GP practices, patients and the public involved in the commissioning of psychological therapies and implementation of IAPT
- Disseminating information on commissioning and IAPT to BACP and FHCP members; through articles in journals and a programme of seminars
- Responding to queries from members
Contact the healthcare team by email: healthcare@bacp.co.uk
'NHS Commissioning - a toolkit for psychological therapy providers' is now available to buy. Click here to purchase
Implications of IAPT for existing services
Letters to Therapy Today, and information reported to BACP from the membership, indicate that the evolution of NHS service provision is creating both opportunities and challenges for existing services. Some report a positive experience of becoming more integrated into a wider primary care team, others report that they feel the future of existing counselling services in their locality is under threat in favour of new services providing predominantly CBT interventions.
In November 2008 the Department of Health (DH) issued a Statement of Intent that in the next round of IAPT commissioning they will recommend that PCT's offer an appropriate choice of NICE compliant therapies for depression and anxiety: the current guidelines published in 2004 include CBT, counselling, couples therapy and interpersonal therapy (IPT). This statement is potentially good news for counselling services that are uncertain of their future - view the statement of intent at: Statement of Intent
In May 2009 the Department of Health issued a policy statement regarding the relationship between IAPT and counselling. View the statement at: Policy statement on IAPT and counselling
IAPT and the four Home Countries of the United Kingdom
BACP recognises that Layard's paper has inspired response and action across the four home countries of the UK. While IAPT has been taken further forward in England, BACP is also keen to engage in similar processes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as strategies for improving access to psychological therapies unfold across the board.
Scotland
BACP has recently recruited both a Lead Advisor and a Parliamentary Lobbyist in Scotland. These posts are part of the Association's commitment to develop its presence and influence in Scotland across the range of counselling and psychotherapy sectors. While these posts are not specific to healthcare counselling and IAPT, it is intended that the posts will enable a greater connectivity for BACP on these areas of work in Scotland.
BACP's healthcare team is the main point of contact for members in Scotland regarding healthcare issues; they work collaboratively with BACP colleagues and member networks in Scotland and can facilitate links at the local level.
Contact: healthcare@bacp.co.uk
Wales
The team is also committed to various activities in Wales through representation on the Wales Mental Health in Primary Care Network ( WaMH in PC ) and on the IAPT Wales steering group. Queries, questions and information from members about IAPT or other healthcare counselling and psychotherapy issues are welcome.
Contact: healthcare@bacp.co.uk
Northern Ireland
Members in Northern Ireland are encouraged to contact the healthcare team with any queries and news of developments in the delivery of NHS psychological therapies. To help keep informed about developments in counselling in Northern Ireland, BACP members can also join the independent Northern Ireland Counselling Forum.
Contact: healthcare@bacp.co.uk