PRIDE Trial: PRimary care Intervention for Depression in the Elderly

INTERVENTION: The intervention comprises: antidepressants (where appropriate) prescribed by the general practitioner, a brief psychological intervention delivered by a community psychiatric nurse (CPN) employed by the study, and care management according to a defined algorithm. The CPN is working closely with the patient's general practitioner but the model demands close support from and liaison with the specialist community mental health team for older people. Control: usual care CONDITION: Late‐life depression ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Depressive episode PRIMARY OUTCOME: SCID scores SECONDARY OUTCOME: Montgomery‐asberg scores INCLUSION CRITERIA: Elderly people (>60) with depression as defined by the GP or community or practice nurse are referred into the study. If depressed (Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS] %) they are randomised to intervention or usual care group.