PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION

Early day motion 1829, tabled 16 March 2006 by Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 46 members.

That this House is concerned by the results of Pulse magazine's investigation into services for managing depression which revealed that patients are waiting many months for assessment and treatment; notes the acute shortage of therapists to deliver psychological interventions which are supported by good evidence of effectiveness, and that this shortage has been acknowledged by the National Director for Mental Health; urges the Government to instigate a concerted programme of training and recruitment to meet demand; and requests that GPs are provided with interim guidance on how to manage depression in the absence of access to interventions recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 6, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, UUP 1.