Pro-active mental health referral

Taking a pro-active approach to mental health and wellbeing

Mental ill-health can have far-reaching effects, which is why at Bupa, we believe in making psychological therapies as accessible as possible for our customers. To ensure Bupa members receive the support and treatment they need when they need it, we routinely fund treatment when directly referred to a Bupa-recognised therapist+ by a GP.

Clinical best practice
Current research into clinically effective treatments identifies that in many cases psychological therapies such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy are effective treatment options for common mental health conditions. These include depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

In line with the NICE stepped care pathway, we agree that the lowest intensity intervention should be used to promote a positive outcome while burdening the patient as little as possible. In line with this, the stepped care model for managing conditions such as depression and anxiety is considered to be the best and most cost-effective form of interventional support. We also recognise Department of Health advice which says that psychological therapy should be routinely considered in the management of all mental health conditions.

To support our members and provide access to the therapies they need, as soon as they need them, GPs are able to refer patients with Bupa private health insurance+ directly to a Bupa recognised therapist.

Management of care
Clinical evidence suggests the management of most common mental health conditions can take place in primary care and even in instances when the patient is referred to specialist mental health teams, there should be continued involvement of the primary care team.

How to refer
The type of intervention that the patient is referred to by their GP, depends on careful clinical assessment (including assessment for risk) and an informed discussion with the patient, taking into consideration their personal preferences, previous interventions and responses to treatment.

In addition to referring patients to psychological therapies, GPs have the option of referring Bupa members to psychiatrists or clinical psychologists when appropriate, including for specialist assessment or if psychological therapies produce little or no improvement.

The procedure for referrals
If a GP decides that their patient needs to be referred to a mental health therapist and they have Bupa private health insurance+ they can choose a therapist from the list of Bupa-recognised mental health therapists on our website and refer the patient directly. The patient must contact us to check the treatment will be covered before an appointment is arranged.

Next steps

Frequently asked questions

Answers to your questions
GP helpline - call us on 0845 600 5781*

Lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
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⁺Please note that access to talking therapies and other forms of psychological therapy are available only to those members who have psychiatric treatment benefit included in their Bupa insurance.

^*Calls may be recorded and monitored.