A HUGE £2.4 million investment has been given to a York-based research project to help manage depression among older people living with other health problems.

Depression has been called the ‘silent killer’ for older people with conditions such as heart disease and diabetes and more than four million people in England with a long-term physical health condition also have mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Many of them will have reduced quality of life and lower life expectancy as a result.

Now people in York and across North Yorkshire will be among about 600 invited to take part in a new ‘healthy ageing’ programme which could end up being rolled out across the NHS.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and the University of York and Hull York Medical School have designed a ‘healthy ageing’ intervention to improve the physical and mental health in older people.

David Ekers, University of York professor and TEWV nurse consultant, said: “We know we face a growing challenge to meet the needs of older adults with complex physical and psychological healthcare problems.

“If the research shows our new treatment works and can be applied across NHS settings, this could be of substantial value in the coming years to patients and NHS providers alike.”

Simon Gilbody, director of the University of York’s Mental Health and Addictions Research Group, said: “The healthy ageing challenge will only be solved by conducting rigorous research into what works and what is good value for money for the NHS."

The clinical and economic implications of depression in older people with long-term conditions has been identified as an important priority for the NHS.

In terms of NHS spending, at least £1 in every £8 spent on long-term conditions is linked to poor mental health and wellbeing.

The programme is being funded by the National Institute for Health Research.

As well as York and North Yorkshire, people from County Durham and Tees Valley and other parts of the north of England will be involved.