Elevating community mental health for those with long term conditions: Expanding a transdiagnostic cognitive therapy service from East Berkshire to West Berkshire

Abstract

Housebound individuals with long term conditions (LTCs) face difficulties accessing services. This is compounded for those also experiencing psychological difficulties. Integrating community and mental services can facilitate access to appropriate services. Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (tCBT) is an effective intervention in supporting older individuals with LTCs presenting with physical and psychological difficulties. The Psychological Interventions in Nursing and Community (PINC) West service aimed to replicate a tCBT model developed in East Berkshire. Pre-and-post-intervention outcome measures demonstrated promising results, with reductions in depression and anxiety scores, improvements in quality of life scores and reduced use of NHS services. Suggestions are made for others planning to deliver similar services.