Mary Scanlon (Conservative) | Question S3W-28584

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that GPs and practice nurses are supported in identifying and managing depression in older people, including psychological and pharmacological approaches.

Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party) | Question S3W-28585

Improvements to the detection and treatment of depression, and consequent care, have been aided by the recently enhanced GP contract. This contract provides additional resources for practices to make objective assessments to address the severity of depression and provide appropriate information on interventions, such as self help and life style advice.

We are working with NHS Education for Scotland and NHS boards to improve availability of psychological therapies for all patient groups, including older people.

Activity on clinical identification, diagnosis and treatment across age ranges includes ensuring care pathway standards, increasing access to psychological therapies and reducing reliance on antidepressants.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government has funded NHS Health Scotland to work with partners – namely Age Concern Scotland and the Mental Health Foundation – to address mental health in later life. The work involved focuses on mental health promotion and prevention of common mental health problems in older people, this including depression.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with dementia have access to psychological intervention where appropriate.

Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party)

The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that psychological therapies can make to improve the quality of life for people with dementia. That is why we have a specific commitment to deliver on our commitment of increasing the availability of evidence-based psychological therapies for all ages to meet patients’ needs.

To achieve this we are working with NHS Scotland, NHS boards and their partners to improve and increase service capacity and have produced a tool which NHS boards can use to review the best available evidence-based psychological therapy when considering which psychological intervention is most appropriate. This includes dementia.

In addition, we have funded NES to support the training and development of staff in a range of evidence-based psychological therapy approaches.