North Yorkshire NHS service becomes first to offer VR mindfulness

The uptake of the treatment had been “really great” so far, according to clinical lead Carla Webb.

“If we think about the rural demographic of North Yorkshire, it’s not easy for everybody to be able to come in to a healthcare setting,” she said.

Patients visit the team in Northallerton at the start and the end of the course, with fortnightly telephone calls with a therapist in between.

The check-ins help to ensure that Tend VR is “right” for the patient, according to Ms Danahay.

“We will always talk again if there’s anything more that we can do as a service to support the depression and anxiety,” she said.

Ms Webb added: “We’re still in the early days, but actually what we are seeing is great recovery rates for patients.”