(April, 2005)
In August 2002 the Trustees committed £50,000 to support the installation of Beating the Blues in two GP practices in West Berkshire. Beating the Blues is produced by Ultrasis plc and uses computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) as a treatment for mild to moderated depression. At the time the use of CCBT was subject to assessment by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and it was hoped that this project would contribute to the available evidence. In addition the Trust wished to make a contribution, however modest, to the improvement of treatment available to those suffering from depression.
Beating the Blues was installed by December 2002 and training started in January 2003, both systems were ‘live’ by April 2003. One system was redeployed in September 2004 in order to make better use of the capacity available. Systems are now located in Falklands, Newbury and the Thatcham Medical Centre and are available on request to all GP practices in West Berkshire. By July 2004 a total of 134 patients had been referred to Beating the Blues of which 33 have completed all 8 sessions, 15 are current and 66 discontinued treatment after one or more sessions – Note that many of those who discontinue treatment did so for positive reasons.
Procedures for evaluating the project have been agreed, they will be based on a combination of quantitative evaluation provided by Ultrasis plc, and qualitative evaluation based on investigation of patient and practice staff experience. The evaluation will be conducted over the period of January to November 2005. The Steering Group is in the process of appointing a part-time Research Assistant.
(June, 2005)
A Psychology Research Assistant has been recruited to assist with the evaluation of this project. Nicola Harris will be based at Hillcroft House, West Berkshire Community Hospital, Thatcham and will be employed for one day a week for one year. The next meeting of the Steering Group is on 11th July 2005.
(August, 2005)
The latest statistics show that a total of 249 patients have started the programme with 67 having completed all 8 sessions. Anxiety and depression scores improved progressively from Session 1 onwards. Very few cross referrals have been initiated. An evaluation scheme has been agreed based on a cut-off date for referrals of 30 September 2005. A report will be available in March 2006.
(January, 2006)
Ethical approval for evaluation has been obtained from the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee and the evaluation process has started. The Report is likely to be available in June 2006, later than forecast earlier.
(June, 2006)
The licences funded by CWMT expired at the end of March 2006. Newbury & Community PCT have decided to continue to fund Beating the Blues licences for the two existing practices, and also to purchase an additional Beating the Blues system to take referrals from other practices, which will probably be located at Hillcroft House on the West Berkshire Community Hospital site.
Evaluation data from the pilot project has been collected, including 69 responses to requests for patient feedback, 16 in-depth interviews with system users, and focus groups with staff at both participating practices. Analysis of this data is in progress, but the final report is now due in August 2006.
(February, 2007)
The Report has been finalised and is now available.
In outline the Report concluded that Beating the Blues is a useful intervention in Primary Care and appreciated by most users. Improvements are noted, not only by those who complete all eight sessions, but also for those who complete four or more sessions.
User experience and completion rates could be improved by GPs providing more information on referral, by providing more information about use of the programme, by providing more support (possibly through Primary Care MH workers) and by improving access in the evenings and at weekends. These recommendations are being piloted in West Berkshire under arrangements made by the Newbury & Community Primary Care Trust.
