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| Screen carers for depression, say doctors' leaders | Screen carers for depression, say doctors' leaders |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Carers should be routinely screened for signs of depression by their GP to ensure their health needs are not neglected, doctors' leaders say. | Carers should be routinely screened for signs of depression by their GP to ensure their health needs are not neglected, doctors' leaders say. |
| The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) estimates one in every 20 patients registered with a GP practice is providing unpaid care. | The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) estimates one in every 20 patients registered with a GP practice is providing unpaid care. |
| About 40% of carers are thought to be at risk of depression or stress because of their caring role. | About 40% of carers are thought to be at risk of depression or stress because of their caring role. |
| Carers UK said GPs had a vital role to play in supporting carers. | Carers UK said GPs had a vital role to play in supporting carers. |
| It is estimated that seven million people in the UK currently provide unpaid care to a sick or disabled child or an adult who could not otherwise live independently. | It is estimated that seven million people in the UK currently provide unpaid care to a sick or disabled child or an adult who could not otherwise live independently. |
| Many of them are already known to GPs, but the RCGP says more should be done to improve the support and services offered to carers. | Many of them are already known to GPs, but the RCGP says more should be done to improve the support and services offered to carers. |
| It says the "screening" process for depression should involve "a small number of general, non-invasive, questions about mood and mental wellbeing". | It says the "screening" process for depression should involve "a small number of general, non-invasive, questions about mood and mental wellbeing". |
| The RCGP has also drawn up a list for clinical commissioning groups - groups of GPs that plan local care - to ensure carers' needs are taken into account. | The RCGP has also drawn up a list for clinical commissioning groups - groups of GPs that plan local care - to ensure carers' needs are taken into account. |
| Dr Clare Gerada, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said carers often found it hard to admit they were struggling. | Dr Clare Gerada, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said carers often found it hard to admit they were struggling. |
| "Carers often neglect their own healthcare needs and in many cases it is only a matter of time before they themselves become ill. | "Carers often neglect their own healthcare needs and in many cases it is only a matter of time before they themselves become ill. |
| "GPs can play a crucial role in identifying potential problems in the early stages and 'screening' for depression is something that many GPs are doing already. | "GPs can play a crucial role in identifying potential problems in the early stages and 'screening' for depression is something that many GPs are doing already. |
| "Commissioners need to invest in supporting carers as a critical asset. | "Commissioners need to invest in supporting carers as a critical asset. |
| "They already save the public purse £119bn a year and this initiative could save even more by ensuring that carers stay well enough to keep on caring." | "They already save the public purse £119bn a year and this initiative could save even more by ensuring that carers stay well enough to keep on caring." |
| Fear and anxiety | |
| Helena Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, said caring full-time for a family member could leave people cut off from the outside world. | Helena Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, said caring full-time for a family member could leave people cut off from the outside world. |
| "This isolation, alongside the pressures, fears and anxieties of supporting an ill or disabled loved one can take a serious toll on carers' mental health," she said. | "This isolation, alongside the pressures, fears and anxieties of supporting an ill or disabled loved one can take a serious toll on carers' mental health," she said. |
| "NHS and social-care services, particularly GPs, are often the first port of call for families with caring responsibilities - they have a vital role to play in identifying carers and helping them access the support they need." | |
| The government's care bill will help people find what support is available to them, a Department of Health spokesperson said. | |
| "We know far too many carers can suffer depression, emotional and physical exhaustion - and it is important that they do not bear this responsibility alone. | |
| "GPs have a critical role to play in identifying people with a caring responsibility and assessing their needs for support, including with depression." |