Digital care record supplier, Mayden, and online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) solutions provider, SilverCloud Health, have teamed up for a direct to digital approach, enabling people with mental health issues to receive immediate digital therapy support.
When a person makes an online self-referral to a Talking Therapies service, they will be able to select a course of clinically-validated cognitive behavioural therapy. The therapy is available seven days a week, 24-hours a day.
The aim of the collaboration is to bridge the gap between the first contact with the Talking Therapy service and a patient’s first appointment, and to ensure they are supported throughout.
The interoperability of Mayden’s Electronic Patient Record (EPR) software, iaptus, means that the process is smooth. Patients who have self-referred are encouraged to fill out a form, which then automatically connects to the SilverCloud platform. Support is instant, even outside of core operating hours for the Talking Therapies service.
Fiona Dawson, Director at Mayden, says: “This ‘Direct to Digital’ approach encourages people seeking help to provide the key information when they first approach Talking Therapies Services, assisting the service team to efficiently process their referral and assessment and at the same time offering access to support through a SilverCloud programme. Whatever the outcome of someone’s self-referral to Talking Therapies Programme, they get the initial support right there in their hand; that can make such a difference to their ongoing engagement with mental health services.”
Engaging with the platform means that patients are able to learn about relevant treatments while they wait for assessment, boosting their engagement. With data being captured automatically to a patient’s digital record, clinicians have access to more information ahead of seeing a patient which can speed up the assessment period too.
Douglas Hiscock, product lead at SilverCloud Health said: “The ability to rapidly access NICE approved digital therapeutic programmes when the person is most motivated is the cornerstone of the Talking Therapies services. The partnership between Talking Therapies services, Mayden and SilverCloud has made this a reality. Now services can be provided direct through the SilverCloud platform without the administrative burden. It is an integration that speeds up access and lowers the barriers to treatment.”
The direct to digital approach is being adopted at other mental health trusts too, including Nottingham, Birmingham, Berkshire and Dorking.
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