Range of treatments for depression a good thing but access for patients remains patchy, says RCGP

Responding to new draft NICE guidelines on caring for patients with depression, Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the following.

“Depression can affect different patients in different ways. Decisions about a treatment plan should be shared between patient and GP, as a result of a discussion about the risks and benefits and taking into consideration an individual’s circumstances and preferences - and this guideline should help facilitate that.

“However, access to some treatments are patchy across the country and it is vital that GPs have access to wide variety of treatments for their patients with depression, so that they can benefit from them regardless of where they live.”

Further information

RCGP Press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 52,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.