Commenting on NHS Digital’s latest report on the use of IAPT services, George McNamara, Director of Policy and Influencing at the older people’s charity Independent Age, said:
“It is unacceptable that older people’s mental health needs continue to be overlooked, with the NHS missing their target by 50%, denying thousands of people access to vital support.
“With better recovery rates among over-65s, we know talking therapies are more effective for older people than for any other age group and that they prefer it to medication. Older people must no longer simply be given medication and shown the door.”