This paper was published in the Lancet in late last year. It is a two page article that is worth reading in full. All screenshots below are from this paper:

The authors commented that

The authors were of the view that

Scottish Government figures confirm that prescribing of antipsychotics is rising in our elderly. It thus seems important to consider why this may be. The authors continue:

There is always the risk in times of austerity, and when staffing levels are not ideal, that:

The authors state:

The promotion of off-label use of antipsychotic medication was instrumental in my petition to the Scottish parliament for a Sunshine Act:

The authors continue:

But what does the evidence have to say? The authors state:

The authors continue:

The authors ask:

The authors conclude with Dr William Osler:

I am also of the view that there is a risk that “brief screening tools” may result in “pathways” being followed that, despite good intentions, lead to greater prescribing of antipsychotics in our elderly. I am aware that currently “brief screening tools” are being promoted in Scottish NHS hospitals.

I wish to conclude with one recent example of many: an elderly woman, with terminal cancer returned to her GP after a recent period in hospital. She asked her GP “But why am I on this anti-schizophrenic drug?”

Update, 5th October 2016. The following was published on the 
front page of the Scotsman newspaper: 

"Mental health prescriptions hit ten-year high"

The figures are from the Scottish Government and can be accessed here.