Depression is the most difficult condition for which GPs in England can score points under the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), according to figures from the NHS Information Centre.
Nevertheless, they achieved higher scores for depression indicators this year than last, despite the prevalence of depression increasing from 12.8% to 13.1%.
They scored 92.8% compared with 90.6% in 2007/8. In Scotland, prevalence increased from 6.9% to 7.8% and scores from 94.9% to 95.6%. In Northern Ireland, scores rose from 95.3% to 96.9%, and to 94.2% in Wales.
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