Talking Therapies NEHF

NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Talking Therapies Services (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy IAPT Services).

It is estimated that nationally around 17.7% of adults aged 18 and older meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one common mental health disorder and are targeted to enter the Talking Therapies Services.

Reducing the prevalence of common mental health disorders is a major public health concern. In 2007 the annual cost to treat depression and anxiety disorders in England was nearly £3 billion, with an additional economic impact of around £13 billion in lost earnings among people of working age.

The Talking Therapies Service is based on a stepped model of care offering a range of psychological treatments for patients with mild, mild to moderate, moderate to severe and complex mental health problems. Talk Plus delivers this service across NEHF and has maintained consistently high standards in terms of outcomes quality and wider system impact.

The Commissioner is intending to direct award a contract, under Direct Award C, to the existing provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £4,175,463 for the one year contract term. The one year period will commence on the 01st April 2025.