New Drop In and Assessment Clinic for Older People launched in Coventry
Age UK Coventry has collaborated with the local Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service to create a Drop In Clinic, making talking treatments for low mood and anxiety more accessible to older people in Coventry.
Based at Age UK Coventry’s Warwick Row office, the Drop In and Assessment clinic will run on the first Friday of the month between 10am and 12pm. It will launch on Friday 8th January.
The IAPT service, run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, provides a range of treatments for low mood, depression and anxiety related disorders. The service provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and counselling, as well as other treatments, for older, and younger, people, suffering from mild, moderate and more severe common mental health problems.
Tina Prashar-Malley, service manager at Age UK Coventry, said: “Many older people experience low mood and/or anxiety related difficulties. This can be worse during January once visiting family and friends have left after the holiday period. However, compared to other age groups, a relatively low number access help. We are therefore delighted to be able to offer an easy way for older people to access this type of service.”
Any older person, who has a GP based in the Coventry area, can book an appointment by calling Age UK Coventry on 024 7623 1999 or visiting their office at 7 Warwick Row, CV1 1EX, and speaking to reception. Alternatively older people can refer themselves directly to the IAPT service by ringing 024 7667 1090 or talking to their GP.
Both Age UK Coventry and the IAPT service are amongst the largest in the country. Age UK Coventry sees over 17,000 older people in any one year, whilst the IAPT service, which covers Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull receives about 20,000 referrals each year.
Katie McLean, Coventry IAPT Team Manager said ‘‘With short days and long nights, winter can be a difficult time for older people. Our services are free of charge and we want to let older people in Coventry know that help is available close to their home. We can see people at the Age UK Coventry Drop in clinic or at GP surgeries if they prefer.”