Realising the potential of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies for older adults.

Older adults have equal success rates with therapy compared with the rest of the population and are more likely to continue to engage with IAPT during treatment.[12] SP - sp [14] However, under-represented groups among those accessing IAPT services or entering treatment include older adults (patients aged >=65 years), as well as those from lower incomes and ethnic minority groups,[13] SP - sp [16] all of whom have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.[6] ACCESSING PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES Engagement is important for psychological therapies to be effective;[17] therefore, IAPT typically encourage primary care to signpost patients to their services. Location offered for therapy sessions should not be a system barrier as IAPT typically see patients one-to-one at a general practice local to the patient or via telephone (especially during COVID-19). 2019, London, NHS England 10 Blane DN, Williams C, Morrison J. Psychological therapies in primary care: a progress report.