Experience of Talking Therapies for Mental Health

Across NHS Mid and South Essex, NHS Talking Therapies (formally known as IAPT) and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems are currently delivered by four different providers, leading to inconsistencies in services delivery and patient outcomes.

The NHS Long Term Plan and Joint Forward Plan (2023) emphasise expanding access to psychological therapies while maintaining treatment timelines and recovery standards. To support integration and reduce fragmentation, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) proposes a single system-wide contract. This approach will enhance patient safety, improve quality, and ensure equitable service provision across mid and south Essex.

This will align to ICB’s strategic objectives to:

• Improve population health by enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring high-quality service delivery across the ICS.
• Ensure equitable access by standardizing service offers and fostering partnerships across organisations.
• Enhance efficiency and value for money by reducing administrative burdens, duplication, and overall management costs.

How will this be achieved?

The procurement of these services will follow a competitive process. This approach, commonly used in the NHS and public sector, ensures fairness, transparency, and value for money. The objective is to select the most capable provider to deliver high-quality care to patients.

What does this mean for patients?

• Opportunity for patient feedback - patients will be able to contribute to shaping the service specification to better meet their needs.
• Improved services - the selected provider must meet high-quality standards to improve patient care.
• Fair and transparent selection - the competitive process ensures that only the most capable provider is chosen.
• No Sudden Changes - a carefully managed transition process will ensure continuity of care with minimal disruption if a new provider is selected.