• Corpus ID: 35935076

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme: Scrutinising IAPT Cost Estimates to Support Effective Commissioning

@inproceedings{Griffiths2013ImprovingAT,
  title={Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme: Scrutinising IAPT Cost Estimates to Support Effective Commissioning},
  author={Steven Griffiths and Scott Steen},
  year={2013}
}

• S. Griffiths, S. Steen
• Published 2013
• Political Science, Medicine

An estimate of costs per session of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme was developed using data in the public domain and material obtained by Freedom of Information (FOI) request, with reference to other recent research. The estimate markedly exceeds that used in the Department of Health Impact Assessment, and with other factors such as the need to take account of a higher level of patient dropout in presenting IAPT’s success rate, unexpectedly low numbers of sessions offered, and the scale of wrongful disentitlement from incapacity benefits, suggests a need to reassess the original cost benefit claims for IAPT. Funding data were obtained through a FOI request of 108 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) (seventy-eight per cent of the total approached). Cost estimates per session were developed using IAPT key performance indicator (KPI) data, research-based estimates of IAPT sessions per patient, and the budget data. These were compared to Department of Health (DH) Impact Assessment estimates. The analysis suggests a cost per IAPT session of £102.38 for low intensity therapy, and £173.88 for high intensity therapy, compared to DH Impact Assessment estimates of £32.50 and £55.20 respectively. This analysis of cost per session, considered with other factors, raises questions about the original cost benefit claims for IAPT. It replicates a recent research finding that the cost per session exceeds previously reported estimates. In the new NHS commissioning framework, and with the introduction of Any Qualified Provider (AQP) to psychological therapies in primary care, including IAPT, accurate costings and methods of comparing service offers are essential for both commissioners and providers.