Mary Scanlon, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, has welcomed an answer to a Parliamentary Question she submitted from Nicola Sturgeon which detailed the work being done to increase the number of cognitive behavioural therapists (CBTs). Commenting Mary said;
“I am pleased that more CBTs are being trained. All too often patients are prescribed anti-depressants when what is really needed is someone to talk them through their problems and moods.
“Greater access to cognitive behavioural therapy will be a huge benefit to the many people in Scotland affected by depression and low mood. CBT helps people to understand the triggers which cause depression and is a form of self-management. This enables people to stay in work and carry on their normal life.”
ENDS
Note to Editors.
For more information please contact Mary on 0131 3485460 or 07775830480
Below is a copy of the question Mary submitted and the response she received.
S3W-11972 – Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) (Date Lodged Thursday, April 17, 2008): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to increase the number of cognitive behavioural therapists.
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon (Friday, April 25, 2008): Work is being undertaken through NHS Education for Scotland (NES) on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), family therapy and child psychotherapy as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy. NES has funded an additional 20 supervisor posts, plus 0.5 whole-time equivalent staff in each NHS board, to create capacity and support supervision and training. South east of Scotland and Tayside CBT programmes have increased the number of those in training by 50 this year.
At an individual NHS board level work is underway to scope out the capacity of staff who have been trained in a range of psychological therapies in order to match demand with capacity and meet patient need better and more effectively. In addition, work has been commissioned to look at the evidence base for psychological therapies in relation to different conditions and patient groups to assist NHS boards in their planning.
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