GPs could face sanctions for prescribing anti-psychotic drugs when there is no alternative, as ministers pledged a 'zero tolerance' crackdown on their use.

Sanctions would be better placed on those commissioning and those providing care in care homes to ensure they train and staff their homes appropriately. GP's in the main are doing their best to reduce the risks and stresses encountered by residents in homes where the quality of care is in doubt.

Most GPs I chat to do not want to prescribe these medications. But the carers and the employers are very clear that they cannot cope with things as they are- and they usually make notes and are quite clear what they cannot cope with (probably) honesty in most cases. They present very compelling cases for intervention. I now get mental health team input with confirmation of approved action by a psychiatrist. The situation is made know to the patient as far as is possible and also to the relatives and staff of the home. If there is not general agreement then further pyschiatric imput is sought to try to keep the patient from secondary care and to allow a defence to be built up in case of patient or staff injury. Tedious and expensive but ethically probably as correct as is possible.

Small doses of antipsychotics are occasionally necessary for the quality of life for the patient, their relatives, the carers and the staff and importantly other individuals who spend their lives in proximity to disturbed people. The other residents Removing judicious use of these drugs would be a retrograde step and not in the best interest of good clinical practice

Why do successive goverments/intitutions NEGLECT our elderly? Have they NOT contributed to the wealth and welfare of the current population? It is SHAMEFUL that they are sidelined, marginalised and worst of all treated like lepers when it come to offering them any form of service whether it is health, banking, insurance you name it. IT is time that the nation woke up to its duty and look after our elderly rather than shun them.