Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to effective (a) treatment and (b) support for people experiencing chronic insomnia in (i) Fylde and (ii) Lancashire.

It is for the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board to decide what treatments and support for insomnia are offered to its local population, including people living in Fylde.

NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression offers low-intensity therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which may include interventions around sleep hygiene. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression can be referred by their general practitioner, or can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies via the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/

Individuals can also access helpful resources on sleep problems on the Every Mind Matters website, at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Prioritisation Board has agreed to prioritise digital technologies that deliver CBT interventions for insomnia and insomnia symptoms as a topic for the development of HealthTech guidance.