Treating the millions of patients who suffer from anxiety and depression is estimated by the DoH to take up about a third of GPs’ time.
Building on two demonstration projects, the government will next year roll out psychological therapies to 20 new areas before increasing services to cover England over the next few years.
By 2010/11 the NHS will spend £170 million per year on psychological therapies, rising from £30 million in 2008/9.
Average waits for psychological treatment on the NHS should fall from 18 months to a few weeks as the service rolls out.
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