GPs condemn NHS mental health care

GPs have condemned the care offered to mental health patients by the NHS while some have resorted to prescribing drugs to those facing long waiting lists.

They also argued that employers need to be better educated about the issue and should put more emphasis on preventing workplace stress.

The research, taken from Aviva's Health of the Nation report, found that a majority of GPs interviewed were worried about the quality of mental health care and support available through the NHS.

More than half (58%) branded the quality of NHS care as poor while a similar number (52%) said the lack of support for patients with mental health issues was their key concern.

A further 45% of GPs believe mental health will be the biggest health issue they will deal with in 2011.

They called for:
• better support services from the NHS (65%),
• more investment in mental health provision (57%),
• more time with patients to probe their concerns (45%),
• and better education for the public and employers to help prevent stress (41%).

Nearly two out of five GPs (38%) felt that mental health was a social issue rather than medical one and the same amount said they found it hard to treat patients with mental health conditions as they could not treat the root cause of the problem.

As a result, more than half (55%) believed that they needed more support from employers to help prevent workplace stress.

The provider said these results ‘clearly demonstrated that a focused approach from the government on healthcare issues can pay dividends and now was the time for the spotlight to be turned to mental health'.

Over a quarter of GPs (26%) added that it was hard to help patients with mental health problems because there was little access to support services in their area.

And while 65% only recommend tablets such as anti-depressants when they are a viable solution, over a third (35%) admit to prescribing pills as a "quick-win" solution when patients face long waiting lists for support.

Reassuringly, the report said, 41% felt that there should be less reliance on drugs as a "catch-all" solution, with counselling proving a popular alternative with 38% recommending this route.

Dr Doug Wright, head of clinical development at Aviva UK Health, identified two main issues to overcome but praised the government's current mental health strategy.

"Firstly, there's a need for increased investment into mental health support services," he said.

"The condition is complex and GPs need to be able to tailor their support to suit their patient's exact needs. There's also a need for improved education about mental health issues - in terms of prevention, recognition of symptoms and acceptance of the illness and employers have a key role to play in this process.

"It's important that line managers receive the appropriate training to help them recognise the signs of stress and put their employees in touch with the right support services at the right time," he added.