Ethnic Inequalities in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme: a policy review
We were commissioned by the NHS Race and Health Observatory to carry out a review of ethnic inequalities in access and outcomes to NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression (NHS TTAD) formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT).
Based on that review, we developed recommendations for how NHS Talking Therapies can reduce inequalities for people from minoritised ethnic communities. The broad aims were to identify:
- where and why inequalities exist, in IAPT referrals and outcomes
- how people from black and minoritised ethnic communities experience IAPT pathways, and how experiences vary by ethnicity
- how the NHS might better embed the IAPT Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Service User Positive Practice Guide.
The resulting recommendations are based on an extensive analysis of patient data, findings from focus groups involving people with lived experience and IAPT therapists, surveys with clinical leads and commissioners, and a review of the literature.
Read the executive summary, full report and accompanying appendices below:
Related documents
The below are tools that are fundamental to implementing the policy review’s recommendations:
- IAPT Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Service User Positive Practice Guide – This co-produced guide provides a framework for NHSTTAD commissioners, service managers, supervisors and clinicians to work towards better access and outcomes for black and mintorised ethnic communities. It includes sections on service level changes, adapting therapy, engagement with service users and communities, workforce and staffing, and an audit tool.
- Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) – The PCREF is a core part of NHS England’s published Advancing Mental Health Equalities Strategy which sets out the actions the NHS will take to reduce inequalities in mental health.