Ultrasis Plc Regulatory News (ULT)

10 October 2011

Ultrasis plc

("Ultrasis" or the "Company")

New Partnership to Make Beating the Blues Available in Malta

Ultrasis, the provider of interactive health care services, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Maia Psychology Centre to make its flagship treatment programme for mild and moderate depression and anxiety, Beating the Blues, available in the private pay market in Malta.

The service will be launched by the Maltese Minister for Health, Hon Dr Joseph Cassar MP and Parliamentary Secretary Hon Mario Galea, to coincide with World Mental Health day on the 10 October 2011.

John Smith, Executive Director at Ultrasis, said: 

"We are delighted to be working with the leadership team of Maia Psychology Centre to make Beating the Blues available to the people of Malta. As well as providing an accessible and cost effective psychological therapy service, it is our intention to use this opportunity to gather local outcome data that will demonstrate the cost benefits of Beating the Blues being adopted by the wider public health system. This 'practice led' approach has proved very successful in both New Zealand and Northern Ireland, where national contracts were subsequently entered into by Ultrasis." 

Veronica Ellul and Fleur Mifsud Bons, Directors of Maia Psychology Center, said: 

"A key factor in our decision to make Beating the Blues available in Malta was that it has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence as both a clinically and cost effective treatment option. There is a significant shortage of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ("CBT") trained Psychotherapists in Malta and an ever increasing demand for access to affordable treatment. We plan to distribute Beating the Blues to private sector therapists, corporate organisations and other providers of emotional services. At present, 29 per cent. of the working population of Malta has been identified as having mental health difficulties, yet there are very few ways for people to get access to immediate, affordable treatment. Making Beating the Blues available at an affordable cost will allow us to address this gap in local provision."

-ENDS-

For further information contact:

Chris Lawrance

Editors Notes:

About Maia Psychology

Maia Psychology Centre, P.O Box 34, Mosta, Malta

Website: www.maiapsychologycentre.com

Phone: (00356) 9982 2378; (00356) 9989 0878

About Ultrasis

Ultrasis is a healthcare company with core expertise in health, psychology, software development and programme management. The Company delivers computerised healthcare products to the NHS, the corporate sector and other healthcare providers in the UK and internationally.

Ultrasis was the first company to offer computerised products based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ("CBT") and interactive multimedia and is the world leader in this field. The products help people tackle stress, anxiety and depression, and a full spectrum of related chronic conditions.

Beating the Blues is an eight-week, web-based treatment programme for mild and moderate depression based on CBT.

Following a rigorous examination by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ("NICE"), Beating the Blues was approved by NICE in February 2006 for use in the National Health Service.

For more information on Ultrasis please visit www.ultrasis.com.