Antidepressants prescribing figures may indicate greater awareness of mental health, says RCGP

Clinical Lead for Mental Health at the RCGP, Dr Liz England, has responded to HSCIC figures on antidepressants prescribing released today.

She said: “There could be a number of reasons for increased antidepressants prescribing, including greater awareness of mental health problems in society, and that patients are less inhibited to seek medical help for them, both of which are positive steps forward as we strive for parity of esteem between physical and mental health.

“GPs are highly trained to deal with patients of all ages with mental health conditions, and prescribe accordingly and appropriately. Prescribing is a core skill for GPs and patients can be assured that their family doctor will prescribe medication only when necessary, taking into account other medications being taken and when other alternatives, such as talking or mindfulness therapies, have been explored.

“Whenever GPs do prescribe antidepressants it will have been after a full and frank discussion with the patient in front of them, and in the best interests of their health.

“NHS England’s GP Forward View contains pledges to support GPs to continue providing the care our patients with mental health conditions need and deserve, and the College is calling for these to be implemented as a matter of urgency.”

Further Information

RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7633
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
[email protected]

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Antidepressants prescribing figures may indicate greater awareness of mental health, says RCGP

NICE bronchiolitis guidance will reassure parents and help reduce antibiotic prescribing, says RCGP

New guidance from Nice on bronchiolitis in children will reduce anxiety among parents and will help reduce antibiotics prescribing says Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP.

Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, said: “Bronchiolitis can be a very nasty illness for babies and young children - and very distressing and alarming for their parents.

“But most babies and young children with bronchiolitis do not require antibiotics and this guidance will help reassure parents that in the majority of cases the condition can be effectively managed at home.

“It will also support GPs and their teams who are working hard to reduce antibiotic prescribing so that they are only given to our younger patients when they really need them.”

Further Information

RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7581
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
[email protected]

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 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.

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NICE bronchiolitis guidance will reassure parents and help reduce antibiotic prescribing, says RCGP

GPs highly trained to care for patients with asthma, says RCGP

RCGP Chair, Maureen Baker, says GPs are highly trained to care for patients with asthma, but need more investment to meet demand.

Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, said: “Asthma is a distressing condition that affects millions of people across the UK, and patients should be reassured that in the majority of cases, it is managed well as GPs are highly trained to identify symptoms, prescribe appropriately and monitor treatment.
 
“We are concerned that some patients with asthma are finding it difficult to get an appointment with their GP practice but demand for family doctor services has rocketed, while investment and GP numbers have not kept pace.
 
“The College launched its Put patients first: Back general practice campaign to draw attention to the workforce and workload pressures affecting GPs.
 
“The GP Forward View, announced recently by NHS England, acknowledges that investing in general practice eases pressure on the rest of the NHS.
 
“It is vital that the pledges made in it are implemented as a matter of urgency so we can recruit, retain and return as many GPs across the UK to ensure we can continue to deliver the care our patients - particularly those with long-term conditions such as asthma - need and deserve.
 
"To support GPs and trainees in improving their skills in caring for patients with asthma, the RCGP has produced a free and comprehensive online training course, developed in partnership with the Primary Care Respiratory Society and Education for Health. This is available free to all healthcare professionals.”
 

Further Information

RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7581
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
[email protected]

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 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.

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GPs highly trained to care for patients with asthma, says RCGP

LGBT patients deserve best possible end of life care, says RCGP

Responding to a report by Marie Curie on end of life care for LGBT patients, Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders, RCGP and Marie Curie Clinical Lead for End of Life Care, said:

“With our patients now living longer than ever, and routinely presenting with multiple health issues, it is imperative that all our patients - LGBT patients included - receive high quality care as they approach the end of their lives, when people and their families are often at their most vulnerable.

“GPs are highly trained to treat the whole person, and LGBT patients should feel assured that they will receive high quality palliative care to suit their needs, when they need it.

“But as this report shows, a concerning number of LGBT patients are not accessing the appropriate healthcare services as they near the end of their life for fear of discrimination – this unintended consequence is important as it means they are at risk of unmanaged symptoms and reduced ability to get the holistic care all patients and families deserve.

“We need to address this as a matter of urgency and ensure that all our patients feel comfortable accessing healthcare, and getting the message out that when they do, their holistic needs will acknowledged and treated in a sensitive and non-judgemental way. To ensure we can continue to provide the best possible care, we also desperately need more investment and resources for end of life care services in the community.

“NHS England’s recent GP Forward View provides a lifeline for general practice, and we hope that some of the new funding that has been promised will be put towards improving the care provided to our patients nearing or at the end of their life.

“The College has worked with Marie Curie to develop a toolkit to support GPs and other healthcare professionals to deliver the best possible palliative and end of life care for patients.”

Further Information

RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7633
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
[email protected]

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 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.

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LGBT patients deserve best possible end of life care, says RCGP