South Tyneside Lifecycle Service and Gateshead Talking Therapies are pleased to share that over the past 12 months our levels of recovery rates for people who are stressed, anxious or depressed have continued to exceed the nationally set target of 50% of all clients moving into recovery.

In recent months record levels of recovery have been set by both teams. To maintain these levels and exceed them in this current global pandemic is an outstanding effort and tribute to the hard working staff of both these well-established services.

Praise has to be given to staff who have had to adapt to home working and new technology while maintaining a business as usual approach for our clients, offering telephone and video therapy as well as the usual face to face appointments when circumstances allow.

These positive outcomes also come at time when the lifecycle service has established a new bereavement pathway and consolidated on its Long Term Condition work.

Waiting times and lists remain low, and staff continue to look at all possible options to help our clients be seen safely and promptly.

Both teams have set up priority labels to also help Trust and frontline workers to be seen quickly, as well as the normal priority labels for clients with Risk issues or parents with children under 2.

The team continue to maintain regular link work with our primary and secondary care colleagues in order to establish a seamless service.

Overall it has been a difficult year for us all but we wanted to reassure you that both services are exceeding targets and expectations, whilst delivering a quality service that is client focused, adaptable and forward thinking.