‘Ageist’ GPS overlooking depression in older patients

GPS are failing to tackle depression in the elderly because of “ageist attitudes” in the NHS, research suggests.

Almost four in 10 people over the age of 75 display some signs of depression yet they are far more likely to be offered pills rather than any psychological therapy.

A review of late-life depression found one in 10 people over the age of 75 had a major depressive disorder, with more than 37 per cent classed as having sub-threshold depressive symptoms.

Yet as few as 3.5 per cent of cases were referred for therapy, with even fewer cases among the oldest patients, a study by University College London and Bristol University found.

Researchers found GPS often assumed depression was a natural consequence of old age and too often assumed older people would be “unwilling to change” or uninterested in having therapy.

Prof Helen Stokes-lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPS, said: “We know that in general patients don’t want to be on long-term medication – and GPS don’t want that, either.

“We do know that for many older patients, the underlying reasons for them visiting their GP might not be medical – they might be feeling lonely or be socially isolated.

“In these cases, it’s important that we have access to ‘social prescribing’ schemes to link these patients with an appropriate group in the community, and we welcome the focus on this in the NHS long term plan.”