Can a Deaf charity develop an effective relationship with over 200 CCGs?

Abstract

BSL Healthy Minds (BSLHM) is a national psychological therapy service in primary care that provides cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and counselling for deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL). There are 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England and BSLHM has the onerous task of developing a relationship with each one to set up a contract that would enable BSL users to have the same access to psychological therapies as the general population. This article will consider the obstacles faced when negotiating the ever-changing face of the CCGs, the complex relationships with commissioners, the issues Deaf people face when accessing mainstream mental health services and specialist status. There are possible solutions to the immense difficulties BSLHMs experiences when considering commissioning and this article offers recommendations for changes within the funding structure for the future.