NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE GUIDANCE ON COMPUTERISED COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

That this House is concerned that, almost three years since the publication of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE's) guidance on computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for the treatment of depression, and numerous statements from the Secretary of State for Health, NICE-approved cCBT has yet to be made available in all primary care trusts (PCTs) in sufficient quantities to meet the known need; notes that the current recession is likely to increase the prevalence of mild and moderate depression in the general population; is aware that, based on NICE estimates, full implementation of this guidance will result in a cost benefit to the NHS of £126 million per annum; is further concerned that many people are suffering from a postcode lottery for treatment for depression and anxiety; and calls on the Department of Health to take measures to ensure that NICE-approved cCBT is available in all PCTs for GPs to prescribe and that strategic health authorities are directed to ensure that PCTs comply with their obligations to provide this treatment.