Reduce Opioid Prescribing

Opioids

Opioids are a highly effective class of analgesics, and when used judiciously, are of great benefit to many people living with pain. However, in the case of ‘chronic non-cancer pain’, when the source of long-term pain does not have a cause that can be treated, opioids can do more harm than good, particularly when used at higher doses.

We are linking with partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to reduce opioid prescribing and associated risk, and to help patients to manage their pain more effectively. HI NENC has created an NHS Futures Platform to support the work of the North East and North Cumbria Pain Community of Practise. If you would like to be invited to the platform, please contact: [email protected] or North East and North Cumbria Pain Community of Practise

The North East North Cumbria (NENC) ICB Medicines Committee Position Statement on Prescribing in Persistent Pain.

Rapid Insight Report This report is a rapid insight into the services available to patients across North East and North Cumbria to manage chronic (non-cancer) pain. It also includes drivers for the historic high rates of opioid prescriptions to manage pain and the development of interventions to support patients to manage their pain better and reduce use of inappropriate medication.

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Read our Impact Report on Reducing Opioid Prescribing showcasing eleven of our projects in the NENC area. This report demonstrates the various opioid reduction projects we have implemented and supported working on across the North East and North Cumbria area. It highlights the dedication of healthcare staff to inform and educate patients about pain management to ensure the best health outcomes.

Reducing Opioid Prescribing Impact Report

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Opioid Reduction Projects

Teesside University NIPP Project is an intervention which aims to reduce opioid prescribing in primary care where GP video is sent to patients’ smartphones inviting them to consider reducing/ceasing their opioid use.

OUCh (Opioid Use Change) is a project developed in The Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust which uses an educational video including an element of patient lived experience to be viewed by healthcare professionals and aimed to influence opioid prescribing habits.

CROP (Campaign to Reduce Opioid Prescribing) is a campaign aimed at assisting general practices to review opioid prescribing in primary care. Patient lived experience videos also developed to support the campaign.

Health Care Professionals Opioid Awareness Resources

Pain and Opioid Management Resources