Ultrasis Plc Regulatory News (ULT)

10 Jan 2007 11:56

Ultrasis PLC10 January 2007 Press release 10 January 2007 Ultrasis plc Agreement to supply Beating the Blues to the Priory Group Ultrasis plc, the provider of computer-delivered, interactive healthcareproducts and associated services, has entered into an agreement with the PrioryGroup, a leading UK independent provider of specialist mental healthcare andeducation services, to deliver Beating the Blues(R) for the treatment of mild tomoderate depression. Beating the Blues will be delivered under an innovative partnership comprisingCroydon Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the Priory Group that will provide fasterand more effective access to healthcare services. Ultrasis will work withPriory to deliver Beating the Blues(R) as an integral component of this service. Beating the Blues is the only computerised cognitive behavioural therapyprogram approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE), for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Extensive clinical research has proved that appropriate early interventionminimises the need for referral to secondary healthcare services. Priorybelieves that the clinical services being offered by it to Croydon PCT representa value-for-money approach to the delivery of psychological therapies in primarycare, and that using Beating the Blues(R) will add significant benefit to itsservice delivery. Professor Chris Thompson, Director of Healthcare for Priory, said: "We aredelighted to be able to provide timely and effective psychological treatmentsfor people in Croydon suffering from depression. We look forward to workingclosely with Ultrasis and Croydon's primary care teams to reduce the waitingtime for treatment and improve outcomes for people with this debilitatingcondition. " In February 2006 NICE recommended Beating the Blues for the treatment of mild tomoderate depression and the Department of Health has committed to supportingPCTs to make it available by March 2007 to all people who present in bothPrimary and Secondary Care. Nigel Brabbins, Chief Executive of Ultrasis, said: "I congratulate Priory ondeveloping what is likely to be the first of many such partnership approaches totransforming primary care mental health services and am delighted that Priory isfollowing the NICE recommendation in providing Beating the Blues as an integralcomponent of its service model. I believe this will both support the efficientdelivery of services and increase choice to patients. We look forward toworking in partnership with Priory on this and other ventures." Further information: Nigel Brabbins, Ultrasis 020 7566 3900nbrabbins@ultrasis.com www.ultrasis.com Media enquiries: Peter Curtain / James Madsen 020 7307 5330Capital MS&Lpeter.curtain@capitalmsl.com Notes to editors: Ultrasis is a healthcare company with core expertise in health, psychology,software development and programme management. The Company delivers computerisedhealthcare products to the NHS, the corporate sector and other healthcareproviders in the UK and US. Ultrasis was the first company to offer computerised products based on CognitiveBehavioural Therapy (CBT) and interactive multimedia, and is the world leader inthis field. The products help people tackle stress, anxiety and depression, anda full spectrum of related chronic conditions. The Relief Series is a suite of educational and awareness programmes to helppeople learn to cope with, manage and overcome anxiety, stress, depression andinsomnia. Tension Taker is a new interactive product that will help you manage yourstress, reduce anxiety and overcome insomnia effectively. Using a unique andcomfortable biofeedback fingertip sensor, that connects to your computer; onscreen instructions and interactive animation programmes teach you how to manageyour anxiety levels with proven techniques. www.ultrasis.comwww.thewellnessshop.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange