Recognition for staff giving mental health support
A TEAM working to improve mental health in Doncaster has won a top national healthcare award.
Staff from Doncaster Primary Care Trust's 'Improving Access to Psychological Therapies' scheme scooped the Service Transformation category at the Health and Social Care Awards in London.
The awards recognise breakthrough ideas from people on the frontline to improve care and make it easier for patients to access services.
The Doncaster scheme enables people suffering common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety to access 'talking treatments'.
These include cognitive behavioural therapy and guided self-help, provided by local people who have received specific training, supported by cognitive behavioural therapists.
The service saw 5,000 patients in the first year, many of them receiving treatment for common mental health problems over the phone.
Having seen off tough competition earlier in the year to become regional winners of the awards, the Doncaster team saw off two other national finalists to be selected overall winner by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and the Department of Health.
Jayne Brown, Chief Executive of Doncaster PCT, said: "With this project we've created something that can really make a difference to people's health and wellbeing.
"We're keen to share our learning more widely so others can copy it for themselves. This award is an important step in that process."
Bernard Crump, chief executive of the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, added: "These awards paint a very positive picture of the direction the health service will take in the next 60 years.
"It's breakthrough ideas like this one, from people on the frontline who understand the issues, that can make the biggest difference. It's essential we continue to identify and support these individuals."
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