Derbyshire Patient Voices Concerns Over Mental Health Service Transition

Rachel McGough, who experienced anxiety and depression, initially sought assistance from private healthcare providers. However, she recounts being informed that her condition was “too complex” for their services and would require more than six treatment sessions. Ultimately, she received support from the NHS’s talking therapy service, completing 23 one-to-one in-person sessions before her recent discharge. Ms. McGough now expresses apprehension that a transition of the talking therapy service from NHS to private provision could lead to thousands of individuals in Derbyshire being unable to access mental health support. Last month, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust informed the BBC of its decision not to pursue the contract for future service provision, citing that the budget allocated by the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) rendered it financially unviable. The ICB is currently in the process of identifying new private providers, with an approximate budget of £65 million. Approximately 30,000 people in Derbyshire currently utilize this service. Ms. McGough highlighted a stark contrast between her experience with private providers and the NHS, describing the latter as “the complete opposite.” She noted receiving numerous sessions and a therapist who “wasn’t watching the clock.” She further stated, “Talking Mental Health Derby is a really special service.” She elaborated on her concerns, stating, “[For people who can’t access the NHS service], the only place is downwards. They will get more anxious, more depressed, more traumatised. “And the people who are deemed too complex for those private services, I’m just terrified as to what cracks they’ll fall through.” Aylish Rowan Aldred, who recently retired after more than ten years working in NHS talking therapy services, conveyed her dismay, stating she was “appalled” upon learning that the NHS might cease providing the service in Derbyshire. She explained, “Many private providers don’t take on patients who are seen as too mild or too risky.” She added that “Derbyshire actually frequently saw people who were in that gap,” and that “People with more complex needs [will] totally not get anywhere near help.” Aldred also predicted, “They’ll be greater pressure on other health services; certainly more pressure on social services, possibly more pressure on police.” She contrasted the motivations, asserting, “[Private providers’] need is profit.” In contrast, she noted, “Whereas the NHS… isn’t in that position. They get an awful lot of people who are re-referred or referred directly because the other services couldn’t or wouldn’t take them on.” Two anonymous current NHS employees have also shared their concerns with the BBC regarding the future well-being of their patients. One staff member stated: “I was so proud to get a job with the NHS after working in an area where all the service was offered by for-profit organisations.” They continued, “I am heartbroken… I have seen how care is denied or restricted when the organisation providing it is driven by profit.” Another employee, with nearly 20 years of service in the NHS, commented: “The cumulative total of our years of experience and vast breadth of skills and professional qualifications that we hold between us is immeasurable and should not be lost by the NHS.” This individual also expressed, “This news has left me feeling discarded and unvalued as an individual, and I have very serious concerns for the future wellbeing of all Derbyshire patients.” In response, a spokesperson for the NHS Derbyshire ICB affirmed: “We will work with existing and any new providers to ensure that there is a smooth transition of care for our patients.” The spokesperson further clarified, “Any organisations successful through the tender process will be providing care under an NHS contract. This will remain an NHS-funded service which will be free to patients at the point of care; patients will not need to pay for the service, and this is no change from the existing arrangements.”