Published: 16 February, 2012
by TOM FOOT

IT was a billed as a new era of therapy in Camden that would be free to all on the NHS.

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) was set up to give residents who were not diagnosed with psychotic disorders, but had “mild-to-moderate psychol­ogical difficulties”, an expert listening ear.

Funded by Camden’s Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the wake of the 2008 economic crash, it was launched as a safety net for those suffering from stress or depression in a recession.

Typically, a patient would be referred for a series of six to 12 cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sessions with a trainee therapist based in Camden GP practices.

But, four years on, completion rates are far below original forecasts and there are growing concerns that the service is being funded through cuts to other NHS services and claims that health bosses are looking to boost figures by axing NHS funding for a long-standing psychotherapy service and transferring clients on to the books of IAPT.

The move has incensed staff at the Camden Psychotherapy Unit (CPU), who provide expert longer-term interventions, often over two years, at around one-fifth of the standard NHS rate.

Their centre – which helps those who need longer periods of therapy than IAPT provides – is facing closure after decades in Kentish Town Road.

The psychotherapists went to the Town Hall last Thursday night and warned health chiefs that the changes will leave “serious gaps in provision” in Camden’s mental health service.

CPU psychotherapist Dr Ora Dresner said: “Camden no longer provides for psychological therapies for a very significant group of people who are suffering from a severe and complex non-psychotic disorders.

“In this model, people are diagnosed as either suffering from mild to moderate depression or they are diagnosed as suffering from severe mental problems such as bipolar or schizophrenia, or severe and complex depression and anxiety with risk to life or severe self neglect. This is an incomprehensible gap in diagnosis.”

She said that the IAPT service often referred patients to the CPU, a clear sign that for many people longer-term treatment was what was needed.

Last year, Camden and Islington Foundation Trust – the mental health funding authority – won a contract to provide all of Camden’s psychological services and announced plans to cut CPU.

The CPU works with people who cannot afford to go private for therapy but who are not unwell enough to be sectioned or referred to the Tavistock clinic. It sees around 100 patients and costs £83,500 to run each year.

Dr Dresner said 65 surgeries referred patients to the CPU, adding: “Our patients are often immigrants – Irish, Iraqis, Turkish, Kurds. On top of that they are ordinary, hardcore council estate people, who have lived tough lives, angry and isolated.”

Lib Dem councillor Paul Braithwaite told the meeting on Thursday: “To my mind this is going the wrong way.”

Camden Council and NHS joint commissioning chief for the borough, Rebecca Harrington, said: “This process has been going on since 2010-11. The contract was extended until January 6 to manage that with their patients. Patients will certainly have access to services at the Tavistock and IAPT.”