Depressed parents increase NHS use

Children whose parents are depressed are significantly more likely to use NHS services, a new study has revealed.

Youngsters whose parents suffer from the mental health condition are more likely to visit A&E, be admitted to hospital or have outpatient appointments, experts found.

And teenagers with a parent who is depressed are more likely to visit their GP compared with those whose parents are not.

The research team, led by the Health Foundation think-tank, said the reasons behind the finding were complex and likely due to multiple factors including increased parental perception of vulnerability of the child or young person; recognising a need for medical support from the health system; a lack of social support; and underlying patterns of parental behaviour.

The study, published in the journal BMJ Paediatrics Open, found that parental depression is associated with 41 per cent increased odds of emergency department attendance, 47 per cent increased risk of inpatient admission and 67 per cent increased probability of outpatient appointments in children and young people.

Researchers reviewed data on more than 25,000 patients registered with a GP practice in Britain.