Letter fron Nicola Sturgeon.

Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary forHealth and WelibeingNicola Sturgeon MSP
T: 0845 774 1741E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Mr Jimmy DeucharsGrandparents Apart UK22 AIness CrescentGLASGOW
G52 1PJ
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homecomingscotlanct2009.com

Our ref; 2009/0021232. 18th July

Dear Mr Deuchars

Thank you for your e-mail of 26 May describing the potential of Grandparents Apart toprovide a support and counseling service for use in NHS mental health services. I am sorryfor the delay in responding.

The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that psychological therapiescan make to improve the quality of life for people with a mental health problem, as part of thetreatment opti2"s available. That is why we have a specific commitment to increasing theavailability of evidence based psychological therapies for all ages in a range of settings,
and through a range of providers.

To achieve this objective, we are working closely with NHS Education for Scotland, NHSBoards, and their partners, to improve and increase the service capacity needed to deliverthis commitment and meet patients' needs better and sooner. A key focus of ourcommitment is the available evidence for psychological therapies in relation to differentconditions and patient groups and we have developed a tool for the NHS Boards to use inreviewing available evidence and in considering which psychological interventions might bestbe used to meet local need and demand,

We are also committed to working with our partners to providing appropriate care andtreatment to those who suffer from depression. This is supported by an ambitiousprogramme to put in place integrated care pathways for depression that meet the standardsestablished by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland; the commitment to increase access topsychological therapies; access to online and telephone-based cognitive behavior therapyand self-help for depression; promotion of physical activity as both a treatment for, and toreduce, the risk of developing depression; and our target of increasing the range of non-pharmacological responses to depression to reduce reliance on anti-depressant medication.

In terms of your own organisation developing a new service, you should contact your localHealth Board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who will be able to advise you of theoptions and also the potential to apply for funding.

NICOLA STURGEON
St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk "---" Wv/ Q





DE00000432700
james@grandparents.fsnet.co.uk

Dear Mr Deuchars,

Thank you for your email of 22 July to the Department of Health about matters relating to childcare. I have been asked to reply.

As you will be aware, the provision of NHS and social services in Scotland are matters for the Scottish Parliament. As such, we have forwarded your correspondence to colleagues in the Scottish Parliament where the staff are better able to answer your concerns.
If you wish to write to them, the contact details are:
Scottish ParliamentThe Office of the First MinisterSt Andrew's HouseRegent RoadEdinburghEH1 3DG
Tel: 0131 556 8400

I hope this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Joanne MilesCustomer Service CentreDepartment of Health