Cancer: Mental Health Services

(asked on 5th June 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether access to psychological support under the Cancer Recovery Package will be provided through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies pathway for people with long-term physical health conditions.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 12th June 2018

Psychological support for cancer is a specialised area and is often offered within cancer teams via health psychology teams. Adults experiencing all forms of cancer are able to access Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services which provide evidence-based psychological therapies for people with anxiety disorders and depression. Recovery Package interventions will help ensure patients have more personal care and support from the point they are diagnosed. Two of the key interventions within the Recovery Package, the Health Needs Assessment and Care Plans, will enable patients to be sign-posted or referred to psychological support, where necessary.

Personalised follow up and support to help people live well with and beyond cancer is one of the key strategic priorities in the Cancer Strategy for England, which aims to create world class cancer services. NHS England will roll out Recovery Package interventions nationally by 2020 so they are available to all cancer patients across the country regardless of location. All Cancer Alliances are receiving funding in 2018/19 to support implementation of the Recovery Package.

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