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Nursing homes prescribing patients psychiatric drugs every day

Ben Fordham
Article image for Nursing homes prescribing patients psychiatric drugs every day

A survey of aged-care homes across the country has found more than 60 per cent of residents are being given psychiatric drugs every day.

The University of Tasmania has conducted an audit of 150 homes, surveying more than 11,000 residents.

It found 61 per cent of those were given minor tranquillizers, anti-psychotics or anti-depressants.

The study’s lead author says medications are still prescribed in excessive amounts, despite repeated warnings about limited effectiveness.

The Royal College of GPs President Bastian Seidel tells Ben Fordham they’re “very, very concerned”.

“Patients want help and not necessarily drug treatment.”

He says residents are prescribed psychiatric drugs happens “too often” and it “needs to stop”.

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Ben Fordham
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