GPs to prescribe self-help books to patients with common mental health problems
PEOPLE suffering from common mental health problems are to be offered self-help books on prescription.
Patients living in Newcastle and the Moorlands will be the first to try out the new scheme before it is extended to the rest of Staffordshire.
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They will be handed a note by their GP or other health professional, which they will then take to their local library to exchange for a recommended book.
It could cover problems such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, stress, and mild forms of eating disorders.
The books will talk people through basic cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques to help them retrain their brains to think positively and understand their conditions.
The self-help approach may prevent some of them needing formal psychiatric treatment, although it could be used alongside counselling or medication.
But one family doctor today said the "books on prescription" idea could become bureaucracy gone mad, if GPs had to write the notes. It will revolve around a tick-box form.
Dr Paul Golik, pictured below, leader of the local medical committee, which represents 270 GPs across North Staffordshire, said: "We have already got exercise on prescription.
"This will be yet another form to fill in.
"While we are doing that, we could have been treating people who are ill. We are inundated with requests to sign documents.
"I'm sure people are quite capable of going to the library themselves."
The scheme has been successful in other parts of England and each self-help manual has been selected by mental health professionals.
Staffordshire County Council's library and information service has secured £15,000 from a mental health joint commissioning unit to introduce it locally.
Library staff have teamed up with NHS North Staffordshire for the project.
A council spokesman said the scheme was at an early stage and it was not known when it will start or how many patients could be involved.
Newcastle and the Moorlands are being targeted because they are already covered by a programme to improve access to psychological therapies.
Lorien Barber, director of the North Staffordshire Users Group, said: "It's an excellent idea. Any self-help or education resource can be really useful.
"The more people can understand their condition, the more it can aid their recovery.
"With a bit of self-awareness, they might be able to make lifestyle changes and prevent the need for further treatment.
"Hopefully, the books will also be readily available and not just on prescription."
7 Comments
by Darrion
Saturday, November 26 2011, 1:09AM
“By "other health professional" they mean the under qualified nursing staff of Atos, - the private French company who after having taken 500 million pounds of public money for their latest contract are currently costing us a further three quarters of a million every week because 40% of their decisions are being overturned in the appeal courts. Atos are currently taking over the issuing of sick notes from GP'. Your own GP will no longer be allowed to provide them. If your medical records/diagnosis are in conflict with Atos's assessment of your condition GP's are under orders to rewrite your records and provide treatment only for your new "condition". Or no treatment at all if Atos says so. Expecting many on here will jump for joy at other peoples suffering I should say that Atos Doesn't employ any medical specialists. - A major reason why so many decisions are being overturned on appeal. 12 Atos Health care professional are under investigation by the GMC and others are under suspension and review for maltreatment of their "customers".”
by scfcscfc08
Saturday, November 26 2011, 12:36AM
“And people reporting with a strangulated bowel who can't defecate will be given a prescription for a pencil and be told to go and work it out for themselves.
This scheme will undoubtedly have its roots in some fantasy driven cost cutting Tory initiative.”
by WOANW
Friday, November 25 2011, 11:54PM
“When I was ill I wouldn't have dared go into a library and take out such books for fear of being seen as I was anxious and paranoid at the time. Also, in being depressed, I lacked the motivation and concentration span to read and do things when left to my own devices. Staring at the book on the floor from under my covers would have just amounted to another failure of mine to add to the list of reasons I was ****, ill through my own doing, and would never get better.
This may well work coupled with a therapy, where the tasks are homework and are to be discussed and evaluated with room for problem solving and praise, but alone they are asking for trouble. But sure, if it saves money, fob us off. That will definitely help us to feel that there is a point in keeping going...
I'm starting a mental health blog with an intention to stamp out stigma, encouraging open discussion of mental health issues and challenging stereotypes in the media. Check me out and follow me: http://tinyurl.com/d9accf9”
by titanicrose
Friday, November 25 2011, 6:39PM
“Why don't they refer patients to charities that can help and can teach techniques and give them motivation. i.e. Changes 12 Steps to Mental Health, Rethink, Mind etc”
by Pantofola
Friday, November 25 2011, 6:38PM
“I cant be ars*d to do my job properly so heres a book coupon to read up on it yourself.
Stop wasting my time as i've got plenty of other patients to see who are queing up for disabled badges for free parking and motability benefits because they cant stop eating junk food.
Unbeleivable!”
by angelsnhevan
Friday, November 25 2011, 6:30PM
“Well this is no surprise to be honest. The last appointment i had with my gp resulted in him asking me what i had and how he should treat it. Which i had to tell him what treatment i wanted.
Self help books will NOT help with mental health issues, the worry here is this creating more suicides. Isn't the NHS/doctors there to help us when we are at our most sensitive.
If this works ill be amazed.”
by ausiegirl
Friday, November 25 2011, 12:02PM
“So, self help books for people with mental illness, what a great idea!!!!! How about DIY surgery next, hey this will save a fortune for the NHS. What a crackpot idea. When will the cost cutting bureaucrats realize that some things cannot be addressed with self help books. The statement that says this is working in other parts of Staffordshire is spurious. How on earth can this be evaluated with any validity? It would take several years to determine the effectiveness of such a crackpot idea. This would have to be done in a tightly controlled situation.
Can we have brain surgery for dummies while were at it?”