An independent committee at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed a menu of options to treat depression in adults.
The first guideline to identify, treat and manage depression has been created after looking at the evidence of treatment on various aspects of depression.
The guideline allows patients to select the best suited cure for them through a shared decision-making process between them and their healthcare practitioner.
Patients with less severe depression can choose a first-line treatment option from the menu, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exercise, counselling or
psychotherapy.
Similarly, those with a severe depression can select from a range of psychological interventions and antidepressant medication.
As per data released by the Office of National Statistics, around 17 per cent of people aged 16 years and over in Great Britain experienced some form of depression in summer 2021, higher than the previous year.
Over the past two years, the Covid pandemic has resulted in a backlog of elective care within the NHS, with record numbers of patients on waiting lists
across the UK. Despite efforts to catch up after the first wave, subsequent waves have put further strain on an already stretched NHS system.
This has had a tremendous impact on many patients waiting for routine dermatology appointments and, while every effort has been made to see patients with suspected
serious skin cancers within two weeks, this target is not always achieved.
With rising waiting times, pharmacists are increasingly the first port of call for patients suffering with a broad range of skin problems. From acne and rosacea,
eczema or psoriasis, to changing skin lesions or simple insect bites, pharmacists can give helpful advice, allowing some customers to find quick relief to their
skin complaint in mild cases, while directing others to see their GP without delay.
Below is some practical advice that pharmacists can give to their customers with commonly encountered skin complaints.
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that not only affects teenagers but adults too. It is estimated that up to 40 per cent of women continue to suffer with acne into
their adult years. Acne has been linked to an increased incidence of depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideation.
Patients have reported feeling overlooked and often dismissed in their concerns by health care professionals.
Unfortunately, these issues have been further compounded by delays in being seen and treated due to the ongoing Covid pandemic. Pharmacists are well placed to help
acne patients choose the right skincare. This should consist of lightweight products, such as gel or milky cleansers, with moisturisers in serum, lotion or light
cream preparations. Some acne suitable products are further labelled as non-comedogenic.
Oil-based or occlusive preparations are best avoided. There are many good quality, non-comedogenic sun blocks suited
If you have recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You are not alone - millions of people
around the world are living with hearing loss. The good news is that there are many resources available to help you learn how to manage your condition and live a
full life. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common issues that people with hearing loss face and provide tips on how to handle them.
HANDLING ISSUES FROM HEARING LOSS - HOW TO DO IT PROPERLY
Hearing loss is certainly a difficult obstacle to face in life, but it doesn't have to stop you from living a full and rich life. Of course, hearing loss comes with
its own set of unique challenges, but there are ways to manage them. From learning what hearing aids are the best for you to communicate with loved ones, to the
different types of therapies available, we're here to help you find the answers you need. Generally speaking, there are four main issues that people with hearing
loss face; Isolation, communication difficulties, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, and depression. Unfortunately, each of these "consequences" will likely get
worse if hearing loss is not managed early on. Here are some tips on how to handle each one: