Ultrasis Plc Regulatory News (ULT)

22 Feb 2006 09:54

Ultrasis PLC22 February 2006 Ultrasis PLC ("Ultrasis" or "the Company") NICE ENDORSEMENT CLEARS THE WAY FOR BEATING THE BLUES People will be offered faster access to treatment for depression following anannouncement made today (Wednesday 22nd February) by the independentorganisation responsible for providing national guidance on the treatment of illhealth in the UK. The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommendedBeating the Blues - developed by interactive healthcare specialists Ultrasis -as an option for delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in themanagement of mild and moderate depression. Endorsement from NICE means thatBeating the Blues should now become a front line treatment in the management ofmild and moderate depression. Beating the Blues is an eight session self-help treatment designed for patientswith no previous computer experience which uses interactive modules, animationsand voiceovers to engage the user. Originally developed by Dr Judy Proudfoot andcolleagues at The Institute of Psychiatry (IOP), it is already being extensivelyused - with excellent results - by a number of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) aroundthe country and by practitioners keen to provide CBT in the treatment ofdepression. Mental health is one of the key issues facing society and the wider economy as awhole. Latest figures from the Depression Alliance show that:- • One in Four people will be affected by mild to severe bouts of depression at some stage in their lives • Clinical depression is one of the most common medical conditions in the UK • Almost 3 million people in the UK are diagnosed as having depression at anyone time • 40% of people with depression never consult a GP The importance of the NICE guidance is further reinforced by the recentGovernment White Paper* which gave a clear statement on access to CCBT. Itconfirmed that where NICE recommends particular CCBT packages, the Department ofHealth will consider how Primary Care Trusts (PCT's) can best be supported inensuring its successful implementation. Ultrasis CEO Nigel Brabbins, commented: "The publication of this guidance meansthat there is now no need for people to have to wait for anything up to twoyears for access to CBT." He added, "It will also support health careprofessionals in managing their caseloads, allowing them to focus on people mostin need by helping them manage the ever growing demand for cognitive behaviouraltherapy. Our preliminary evidence suggests that 7 out of 10 people of thosedeemed suitable for CBT can be managed by using Beating the Blues - a cleardemonstration of its efficiency." ENDSEnquiries Ultrasis PlcNigel Brabbins, Chief Executive Officer0207 566 3900 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange