§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance is given to general practitioners about prescribing drugs for mental illness ; what training general practitioners receive on the use of psychotropic drugs; and if he has any plans to review the present situation.
§ Sir George Young: Training in the treatment of mental illness is provided for under the trainee practitioner scheme, and in addition refresher courses approved by post graduate medical deans are available under the arrangements for the continuing education of general medical practitioners. The use and misuse of psychotropic drugs is one of the aspects which may be covered. There is continuous liaison with the medical profession about education for general practitioners, but the content is essentially a matter for the profession itself.
Guidance to general practitioners on the use of psychotropic drugs also appears from time to time in the publications circulated by or with the support of the Department.