A project designed to enable people with a learning disability to access mainstream NHS psychological therapies more easily was honoured at the 2016 Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust won the ‘Diversity and Equality in Service Delivery’ award at the ceremony in Woking.

Dr Karen Dodd, co-director of services for people with learning disabilities, said: “We are delighted to have won this award.

“A great deal of work has been put in so that people with learning disabilities can have better access to, as well as a better chance of completing, the therapies which will improve their mental wellbeing. To be rewarded for this work is a bonus.

“Since the project began, recovery rates for people with learning disabilities completing their treatment have almost doubled from 25 per cent to 46 per cent - bringing them in line with the national average for talking therapies in general.”