Private firm to take over talking therapy service

A private provider has agreed to take over NHS talking therapy services in Derbyshire later this year.

Vita Health Group has been selected as the preferred bidder to provide the mental health service from 1 July.

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust told the BBC last year it had decided not to bid for the contract because the budget set by the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) was no longer affordable.

The new contract with Vita Health Group is worth more than £65m.

Talking therapy services include one-to-one counselling, group approaches, couples therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and self-help support.

Around 20,000 people across Derby and Derbyshire access the service each year.

The NHS is currently one of four providers for the service in Derbyshire.

Under the new arrangement, Vita Health Group will become the "lead provider", according to the ICB.

It is thought around 78 staff in a mix of administrative and therapy roles will be expected to be transferred from the NHS.

Vita Health Group is one of the largest providers of talking therapies in the country.

Michelle Arrowsmith, chief strategy and delivery officer at the ICB, said the service would remain free at the point of need.

She added: "We will work with Vita Health Group and with local people and partner organisations to ensure the quality of the service remains high and that Vita Health Group provides the support people need, when they need it."

Erewash MP Adam Thompson said he was concerned about the potential impact on patients, particularly in regards to access.

"Talking therapies play an important role in supporting many of my constituents and people across Derbyshire," he said.

"I am concerned about how the level of service might be affected if the number of patients treated drops."

It is understood several other Derbyshire MPs have expressed concern about the move in meetings with the ICB.

Paul Hardy, from the Unison union, said staff were "absolutely devastated" and claimed Vita would not offer as many sessions and "cherry pick" patients.

"This is absolutely the worst outcome for the people of Derbyshire," he said.

Vita Health Group did not respond to requests for comment.

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