As you already know, the treatment recommend by OCD-UK is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as recommended by the NICE Guidelines for the treatment of OCD. Although the NHS does not operate in the Isle of Man or Channel Islands, we will try and summarise treatment pathways for OCD treatment on those islands.
Isle of Man
Treatment on the Isle of Man is provided by The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and operates similarly to the NHS in the UK, in that it provides a full range of services, from hospitals to district nursing for residents, that are free at the point of contact.
Treatment pathways are not too dissimilar, with people who experience problems being provided with care and treatment from primary care services, such as their GP.
People being seen by the Mental Health Service can be referred to a range of services from support groups to fitness sessions. The Mental Health Service aims to deliver group-based sessions and activities aiding the recovery of people experiencing mental health problems. In some cases, a GP may refer patients for more intense treatment to the community mental health service for adults.
Similarly to the UK, the Isle of Man also operates a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for children and young people up to the age of 16 who require support and treatment for OCD.
Jersey
Healthcare on the islands of Jersey is provided by the island Health and Social Services Department. Healthcare is fee based, although residents who have been on the island for more than six months may be eligible for discount of fees.
The treatment pathway for mental health services operates similarly to the UK in that there is a stepped service. Initially, a GP will most likely refer patients to psychology services, with wait times of approximately 8 weeks from referral.
Psychology services
The psychological assessment and therapy service provides help and advice to patients by looking at, how emotional difficulties have developed over time, the effects these difficulties have and help you make sense and manage those problems. Services are provided by a combination of mental health professionals including primary mental health care workers, therapists and clinical psychologists.
Should a patient require further treatment, then additional mental health services exist, from helping people integrate better with community living up to inpatient mental health services.
Similarly to the UK, Jersey also operates a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for children and young people under 18 who require support and treatment for OCD.
Guernsey
Healthcare on the island of Guernsey is provided by the Health and Social Care Department.
Most primary care is provided on a private basis, although eligible residents can apply for a Health Benefit Card which will only require them to pay partial costs. Some secondary care and specialist services are free for residents.
The treatment pathway for mental health services operates similarly to the UK in that there is a stepped service. Initially, a GP will most likely refer patients to primary care.
Primary Care
The island’s Primary Care Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PCMHWS), based on England’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) model, offers short-term therapeutic interventions for adults aged 17-65 who have mild to moderate anxiety and depression, including OCD.
Secondary Care
The Psychological Therapies Team (PTT) is the island’s secondary care service which aims to provide a wide range of effective, evidence-based, goal focused and time limited psychological therapies, including CBT.
What to read next:
