The NCCMH aims to promote the role of evidence synthesis in making informed judgments about healthcare policy.

This work led to further developments in the field of mental health, providing the evidence base that has supported the National Service Framework and the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme for depression and anxiety disorders.

A number of guides have also been translated and adopted or adapted by other healthcare systems, including those of Italy, Australia and Slovenia.

[7] The pathways set out the evidence base and recommendations for providing timely, equal access and effective treatment and care.

The pathways are to be implemented by clinical commissioning group (CCG) commissioners and mental health providers, working collaboratively with service users, their families or carers, and partner organisations.