STAFFORDSHIRE AND STOKE-ON-TRENT WELLBEING SERVICE LAUNCHES 1 APRIL 2020

The way improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) services are provided locally is changing on 1 April 2020 with the launch of the new Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Wellbeing Service. The new service will bring together existing IAPT teams in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent into one, fully integrated service with a single point of access. The six Clinical Commissioning Groups in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have commissioned Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to work in partnership with North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust to provide this service. They will do this together with voluntary and community sector organisations Mental Health Matters, the Dove Service, North Staffs Mind, Burton and District Mind and Changes Health & Wellbeing. Each organisation has many years of experience in providing IAPT services that deliver a recovery focussed, primary care based service for people aged 16+ who are registered with a GP in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent – covering all mental health problems in primary care, including anxiety disorders and depression. Treatment is offered in a convenient ‘stepped-care’ approach, allowing those with milder problems to quickly access effective shorter programmes, before moving on to longer therapies as required. The new service will: - See an increase in the number of appointments available. - Simplify the referral route from primary care. - Lead to speedier access for service users. It will also benefit people living with a range of persistent physical symptoms and long-term conditions. This new service will harness the wealth of experience possessed by each partner across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to more effectively support and care for local people experiencing common mental health problems.