To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the likely effects of proposed National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on depression, with particular reference to the role of counselling for depression, on the treatment of people with depression. (270273)

No assessment has been made. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has yet to publish its updated clinical guideline on the treatment and management of depression in adults. It expects to publish this in September 2009.

Further information can be found on the NICE website:

www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG/WaveR/24