AQW 38889/11-15
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 17/11/2014
Answered On Date: 26/11/2014
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the proposed establishment of primary care talking therapies hubs in each Health and Social Care Trust.
Answer:
The Health and Social Care Board is at the start of a five year plan to establish Primary Care Talking Therapies Hubs across each Trust area. The Hubs will focus on providing a range of psychological therapies (such as counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychotherapy) and lifestyle support for people who are experiencing common mental health problems. The Hubs are being developed around General Practice and when fully developed will improve access to earlier support and care. An initial investment of £1.4m has been made to support the establishment of the Hubs, which will extend the range and scope of psychological therapies available across mental health services. A pilot in west Belfast demonstrated real benefits to this approach, and is now being rolled out across the city. All other Trusts are in the process of applying the lessons learned from this pilot in order to bring these benefits to all parts of Northern Ireland. It is intended to strengthen the links between these developing Primary Care Talking Therapy Hubs and existing Family Support Hubs, which will create real opportunities to strengthen both family and community-based approaches to good mental health and wellbeing.
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