As demanded by the new guidelines put forward by the NHS, patients with serious, chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes and cardiac diseases must be screened for depression as well. The regulation came after a recent finding that people who suffer from long term illnesses are 2-3 times more prone to depression and depression related symptoms as compared to healthy people.

With the new development, physicians who have always been involved with the physical side of treatments and diagnosis will also play a part in their patients' mental well being.

Recent Research and studies have proved that treating people with long lasting and chronic illnesses for depression can help improve their overall condition. "There's things that can help, from exercise, to psychological and drug treatment", said Dr David Kessler of Bristol University.

While the new guidelines do require doctors to find out if the patient is suffering from, or is at the risk of suffering from, depression, immediate prescription of antidepressants has been strongly discouraged. Although doctors can prescribe them routinely for patients who seem to be severely depressed, milder approaches such as behavioral therapy should be tried for cases which are not too severe.