[ADD LOCAL LOGO]
Reading Well Books on Prescription:
Information for clinical commissioning groups
Reading Well Books on Prescription, the first national scheme for England, will be launched locally xxxxxxx
following a national launch by Norman Lamb, Minister of State for Care and Support on 4 June. The scheme
is being delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians and is an
exciting new service available through public libraries. It is supported by health partners including the
Department of Health IAPT Programme, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Nursing,
Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, British
Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, The British Psychological Society and Mind.
The scheme will provide self-help reading for adults based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults
for a range of common mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. Reading Well Books on
Prescription works within NICE guidelines. It is an early intervention treatment and part of ‘watchful
waiting’ at step one in the Stepped Care model for mental health and Improving Access to Psychological
Therapies Programme (IAPT). General Practitioners can recommend self-help reading to people they might
not yet refer to IAPT services, or to use whilst waiting for treatment. Books can also be recommended by
other health professionals including mental health nurses, counsellors and IAPT psychological well-being
practitioners.
Reading Well Books on Prescription is not designed to replace existing care but to provide added value and
guidance. It can be used as a standalone treatment, alongside medication and psychological approaches
and as an important element in a supported therapeutic programme.
Promotional materials are available from xxxx library service, contact xxxxx. They include:

Patient information leaflets including the core booklist/recommendation form

Prescriber information leaflets

Posters
Where are the books available?
The books are available in all xxxxx libraries in xxxx authority. The scheme is free to use and books can be
loaned for up to xx weeks. There is a free reservation facility of titles as well as easy library joining for
people with a recommendation form signed by a prescriber. The user guide also tells people about other
well-being schemes services offered by libraries including mood boosting novels and poetry and reading
groups.
Further information about the scheme is available at www.readingagency/readingwell. As are a range of
supporting resources including:

Core book list

Evidence base

FAQs

On-line prescription form
Contacts
Your local contact is xxxxx
Contact The Reading Agency at readingwell@readingagency.org.uk