University finds that it’s good to talk
Last updated 16:30, Friday, 25 July 2008
THE UNIVERSITY of Cumbria has won a contract to provide training in the North West for the government’s Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies programme.
IAPT is to be implemented on a national scale and will receive £173 million to train a new workforce to deliver talking therapies for commonly occurring mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
The aim of IAPT is to reduce suffering, promoting wellbeing, social inclusion and employment, using modern cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.
The University of Cumbria won the contract thanks to its history of running successful cognitive behavioural therapy courses that have trained over 200 people over the last five years.
Course leader, Paul Cromarty, principal lecturer in the school of social work and applied behavioural studies is excited by the contract.
He said: “The fact this opportunity has come directly from the Treasury not the Health budget shows how competitive the contract was and what a coup it is for the University to have been successful.
“This is a massive opportunity for the University of Cumbria, as leaders in the delivery of the IAPT Programme in the Region. Delivery of the training will focus on health inequalities, rural and remote issues, and social inclusion and close to home delivery treatment; and this training will be accessible, evidence based and cognitive behavioural therapy focused.”
The IAPT contract will be delivered in partnerships with Universities of Manchester and Chester. The University of Cumbria courses will be led by Paul Cromarty, assisted by Richard Thwaites and Laura Lockhart.
All three, who are accredited cognitive and behavioural psychotherapists, believe that this collaboration between the university and local NHS mental health services will be of great benefit across cross the region.
Paul added: “Richard Thwaites and Laura Lockhart will bring tremendous experience to the delivery of this programme and the University of Cumbria and the Cumbria partnership trust are to be commended for working in collaboration on IAPT and improving both training and services.”
