Sunderland Psychological

Wellbeing Service

Development of Long Term Physical

Health Condition Services within IAPT

By

Heather Blackburn, Kerri Netherwood and

Glynis Henderson

National Context & Rationale

• LTC’s have a significant impact on

peoples wellbeing, ability to function and

quality of life

• Patients engaged in and informed about

management of their illness achieve the

best health and quality of life

Long term conditions: 30% of population of England (approx 15.4

million people)

30% of people with a long term condition have a mental health problem

(approx 4.6 million people

Mental health problems: 20% of population of England (approx 10.2

million people)

46% of people with a mental health problem

have along term condition (approx 4.6 million people)

Sunderland Context

Highest prevalence

of depression in

NE

High levels of

unidentified need

Over twice the expected

level

MUS = 20% of new GP

consultations

Sunderland Implementation

• Investment by Commissioners

• Recruitment

• Training

• Everybody's business

• Pathways work – in-reach

• Inclusive approach – to LTCs, information,

access, treatments

• Promotion and awareness raising

Effective Self Management

• Acceptance of the illness

• Management of symptoms

• Personal motivation

• Adherence to treatment regimes

• Managing stressful medical procedures

• Adjustment of expectations

• Changes in behaviour and routines

Long term conditions within SPWS

• Ready to engage with psychological treatment and work towards change

• Must be able to communicate through verbal means or through an interpreter

• No ongoing medical tests or investigations, i.e. a clear diagnosis

• Step 2 - focus to be on wellbeing and symptom management rather than adjustment

• Step 3 – building on step 2 and exploring adjustment to LTC

Coping with Persistent Physical Symptoms Class

• Week 1 – Persistent Physical Symptoms and Symptom

Management

• Week 2 – Activity and Rest Patterns and Goals

• Week 3 – Pacing and Graded Activity

• Week 4 – Improving Sleep Patterns

• Week 5 – Improving Mood and Enjoyment

• Week 6 – Being Kind to Yourself

• Week 7 – Relaxation and Mindfulness

• Week 8 – Maintaining the Positives

WEMWBS – Warwick-Edinburgh Mental

Well-Being Scale • Self report measure of mental well-being and positive

mental health

• Encompasses the subjective experience of happiness

and life satisfaction; and psychological functioning, good

relationships and self realisation

• User-friendly and psychometrically sound at population

level, currently exploring efficacy/validity pre and post

intervention

• 14 positively orientated questions; positive affect,

satisfying interpersonal relationships, positive functioning

• Meaningful change demonstrated by a 3-8 point

difference +/-

PPS Class July 2014 –July 2015• Initial referrals: 64

• Did not engage: 32

• Attended at least 4 sessions: 32

• Recovery by MDS: 28.12%, Improvement on WEMWBS: 56.25%

PPS Class – Qualitative Feedback

• I have become more confident within myself. I have achieved my goals, e.g. walking to the local shops, walking the dog. I have managed to go out more and not let my illness take over me.

• I have found this course very valuable and has helped me to change certain things I do/say. The course and therapists have helped me enormously and I feel in a much better place from when I started and I feel positive and optimistic for the future.

• I have already recommended this course to others.