NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG has signed up to a five-month trial of a new online mental health service.
The SilverCloud service is for people with mental health problems including depression, anxiety and stress. One hundred people are currently on the waiting list to take part in the trial which will provide them with up to eight clinician-led reviews of their progress through the various online programmes.
SilverCloud features a library of programmes accessible via PC, laptop, mobile phone or tablet device which support people suffering from anxiety, depression, stress, eating issues and chronic illness.
Designed by SilverCloud Health in partnership with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the package teaches coping mechanisms and techniques to promote positive thinking.
Dr Ian Hulme, CCG mental health lead and GP with Meadowside Medical Centre, Congleton said: "We're working hard to reduce waiting times for talking therapies, and this pilot service is an important part of that effort, offering immediate access to online cognitive behavioural therapy for common mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress."
Ken Cahill, chief executive at SilverCloud Health, said: "I'm delighted to be launching this service with our partner, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This new supported service will provide immediate access to evidence-based care and ease the pressure on face-to-face talking therapy services."
NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG represents 23 GP practices which together plan and buy healthcare for 204,000 people in and around Alderley Edge, Bollington, Chelford, Congleton, Disley, Handforth, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Poynton and Wilmslow.
