Vita Health wins new NHS IAPT service for Newcastle

Vita Health Group has today announced a new contract to provide NHS psychological therapies in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The leading healthcare provider will become the sole supplier of NHS Improved Access to Psychological Therapy services in the area, after a comprehensive procurement exercise by NHS Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

During the procurement process, Vita Health Group engaged in several co-production events to understand the needs of the local population, specifically for hard-to-reach groups with the aim of creating an inclusive mental health service combined with outstanding clinical outcomes.

Vita Health Group already provides psychological therapies services to NHS service users across the UK and will lead on delivery of an innovative new service for local people. Vita Health Group will provide an innovative holistic IAPT model of care, with integrated pathways and key partnership sub-contractors with a number of local third sector providers; Jet, Props and Search whom all hold specialisms in areas such as BAME, employment, drugs and alcohol misuse and supporting older people.

Commenting on the new contract Derrick Farrell, CEO of Vita Health Group, emphasised, “We are delighted to be selected as the successful bidder for the delivery of the Newcastle Gateshead CCG psychological therapies services. We look forward to partnering and working with established local providers and charities, healthcare organisations, GPs and service users to transition to the new service as quickly and smoothly as possible. Our ultimate aim in all of this is to make people better. We want to make a real difference to service user outcomes by delivering the right mental health care, in the right place and at the right time. Never before has there been more of a need for this.”

Dr Dominic Slowie, Medical Director at Newcastle Gateshead CCG, said: “With Covid and the high cost of living, mental health services are more important than ever. We will work closely with Vita Health Group to ensure a high-quality service, improve patients’ experience and reduce waiting times. “With many people needing support, we have added several new services locally to ensure that people can choose the best support for their needs.”

The new service is scheduled to begin on 1 August 2022 and Vita Health Group will be working closely with existing providers, local authority, and voluntary and community sector partner organisations over the next few months to prepare for the launch of the new service.