THE proportion of people in Dorset being treated for depression by GPs has risen by almost 50 per cent over three years.

Almost nine per cent of people registered at practices across Dorset are recorded in 2016/17 as having depression compared to six per cent three years previously.

The figures mirror the trend across England which has seen an average rise of almost one per cent a year.

A report published ahead of the meeting of Dorset County Council’s people and communities scrutiny committee showing the figures says: “This confirms the widely reported year on year increase in the number of people suffering from depression which is slightly lower than the national figure.

“The people and communities committee has had a strong focus on mental health this year, including a dedicated inquiry day on the issue.”

The figures in Dorset have remained consistently slightly lower than the percentage for the whole of England.

In 2016/17, 8.9 per cent of people registered with doctors’ practices in Dorset were recorded as having depression compared to 9.1 nationally.

However, there has been a sharp rise from 2013/14 when it was 6.3 per cent in Dorset and 6.5 in England.

A survey of GPs carried out by the charity Mind earlier this year found that most had seen a rise in the number of people coming to them with mental health issues.

Paul Farmer, its chief executive, said: “For most of us, our GP is our first port of call for accessing support for our mental health on the NHS, and the majority of people will only ever be seen in their GP practice.

“As demand increases, it is more important than ever that the NHS gets that support right.

“GPs do a really difficult job.

“We know it can make a huge difference when our GP is knowledgeable and confident about mental health, or when we find that a physical illness is affecting our mental health.

“When they are well supported and receive specialised, relevant and ongoing training, they are better equipped to provide the best care.”