DOCTORS will consider whether to make controversial changes to the treatment of mental health patients.

Patients and therapists spoke of their dismay last year after learning that the NHS had plans to scrap a specialist form of care called psychodynamic psychotherapy. At present, it is offered to about 250 people in the county and involves them talking to a therapist long-term about their mental health problems.

Between August and October, a public consultation was held into proposals to replace it with other forms of therapy, which the NHS argues were better.

Now the results are being considered by Derbyshire's five GP-led management groups, set to take over the local NHS from April 2013.

Wendy Sunney, mental health lead for Derbyshire, said: "A range of options and recommendations based on the information received are due to be presented to the NHS in April. This will take into account feedback from patients, carers, clinicians and other key partners."

Source: Derby Telegraph (http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/GP-groups-set-decide-future-specialist-care/story-14398700-detail/story.html)