§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise awareness of general practitioners of best practice in treating teenagers affected by depression. [119668]
§ Mr. HuttonThis year £5 million from the National Health Service Modernisation Fund has been allocated to health authorities in order to improve child and adolescent mental health provision at the primary care level.
In addition to maintaining awareness of mental health developments through extensive vocational training and professional development throughout their careers, general practitioners are closely involved in the mental health priorities set out in "Our Healthier Nation", National Priorities Guidance, and the National Service Framework on Mental Health which together underline our commitment to mental health and the role of GPs in its treatment.