Medicines Optimisation

The HI NENC Medicines Optimisation programme, which was first launched in 2013, aims to ensure patients get the best from their medicines to improve outcomes.

The team engage with networks of local, regional and national Medicines Optimisation professionals including local primary care networks (PCNs), North East Senior Pharmacy Managers Network, NENC CCG Prescribing Forum, Northern Treatment Advisory Group and various advisory groups.

Image source: NHS England

HI NENC is currently supporting the delivery of a national Medicines Safety Improvement Programme:

The Medicines Safety Improvement Programme (MedSIP) aims to reduce severe avoidable medication related harm by 50% by March 2024 through medicines optimisation and quality improvement. Opioid reduction is the main focus of this programme along with two pipeline elements: Psychotropics in Learning Disability and Falls inducing medicines in Frailty.

We are also delivering a local medicine programme:

North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Overprescribing Programme 2024-25 which aims to support the delivery of NENC Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) Polypharmacy and Overprescribing Strategy.

Supporting Better Management of Chronic Pain in North East North Cumbria

Supporting primary care

To support Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacy professionals HI NENC has collaborated with Health Education England to develop a PCN Community of Practice (CoP).  If you are a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in the NENC and work in a GP practice then you can join our Future NHS Platform and access the CoP by completing this form:(https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NHSFuturePlatformRegistrationForm/).

Prescribing Data E-learning

NHS North of England Care Systems Support (NECS) have developed a prescribing data e-learning programme in conjunction with the AHSN NENC.  It is available to any healthcare professional and will enable users to gain an understanding of how to access and use prescribing data.

Explainer video on the programme

Access Prescribing Data E learning

A prescribing data Elearning poster recently presented at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress in London. View the full poster zone.

Report – The Barriers and Opportunities for the Use of Digital Tools in Medicines Optimisation

In 2022, HI NENC (formerly AHSN NENC) and NHS England Digital First Primary Care commissioned Newcastle University to produce a report on the barriers and opportunities for the use of digital tools in medicines optimisation across the interfaces of care. Following a three month period of research, the final report has been produced and can be downloaded here.

This report has also now been published by JMIR Publications  view the report.

Events

Please view our events area for events related to this subject area. Past events will include presentations and recordings where available.

To find out more about the Medicines Optimisation programme please contact Helen Seymour, Medicines Optimisation Workstream Lead, [email protected]