|
This section will give details on policy activities relevant to the Faculty.
Background
The Faculty actively seeks to represent the views and interests of psychologists working in physical health and disability to the British Psychological Society (BPS) and outside bodies, and liaises closely with the Division of Health Psychology (DHP) other Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) faculties (e.g. Oncology & Palliative Care, HIV & Sexual Health) on issues of common interest.
Activity
In 2007, the Faculty was notified of 27 consultations from various sources (DH, GMC, NICE, Cabinet, BPS, etc) of which we distributed 18 as most relevant. Members came forward to contribute to 8 of these, and indeed on 5 of these the BPS lead was a Faculty member.
In 2008, this was respectively 25 consultations of which we distributed 12, including: Acute Stroke, Cardiac Rehab, Obesity, Critical Illness and Breast Cancer. Members came forward to contribute to 7 of these, including two leads. We continued our very close working relationship with the BPS PSU, and developed further links with the DHP and SIGOPAC.
In 2009, the highlights were the GMC End of Life decision-making guidance to doctors; the vivid response to the NICE Consultation on Depression in Adults with Chronic Health Problems, and the BPS response which was almost entirely our own on Psychological Support Measures for Cancer; on MUS competencies for NHS London; on COPD guidelines for Scotland; and on NICE Acute Coronar Care guidelines.
IAPT Engagement
James Gray and Hilary Rankin are continuing as our representative members on the IAPT advisory group for LTC, and Myra Hunter is advising NHS London on their MUS plans. We’ve seen vivid discussions on our discussion list about IAPT, and Neil Berry circulated his well-received presentation to the DoH SIG on the difficulties in separating distress- and condition- management. We are also planning some fact-finding on the extent of health-specific training on the low-intensity IAPT training courses nationwide, and will report our results via the list.
This is fertile ground for discussion, so please continue to provide perspectives, advice and updates of developments, positive and problematic, in your services.
Society documents
These publications will be joined by two updated Briefing Papers on diabetes and obstetrics and gynaecology, both of which will be completing their facelift soon, thanks to the efforts of the reviewers and Anita Farrell who is keeping tabs on the process.
Together, these documents will contribute to a coherent and up-to-date picture of best practice in clinical health psychology, and will help us develop and promote our services.
Consultation responses
You can find all responses submitted by the BPS here.
|
