STOMP and structured medication reviews for people with a learning disability and autism in Durham Tees Valley

Contact details

Teesside:                                     Durham:

Flatts Lane Centre                       Green Lane Council Offices
Flatts Lane                                   Green Lane
Normanby                                    Spennymoor
Middlesbrough                            County Durham
TS6 0SZ                                      DL16 6JQ

Telephone – 0191 368233 (Durham), 01642 368233 (Teesside)

Email – [email protected]

Service opening hours –

Lead contact name – Claire Donnelly and Faye Rowley (Durham) and Sue Sargeant (Teesside)

Stopping the over medication of people (STOMP)

The project sets out the importance of having clearly defined circumstances in which the use of psychotropic medication is appropriate. It also encourages thinking about alternative forms of treatment before prescribing medication.

The ambition is to help people to stay well and to have a good quality of life. We want to ensure that people get the support that’s right for them. This might mean reducing the amount of medication they need to take.

We’re supporting primary care pharmacists to carry out focused and holistic medication reviews. We’re also challenging the inappropriate or over prescribing of medication.

What is a structured medication review

A structured medication review is an opportunity to discuss prescribed medication. The purpose is to check that they are still the most appropriate ones for that person.

The meeting can take place at the surgery, your home or on the telephone. We’ll support with what works best for you and always aim to make any reasonable adjustments.

What happens at a review

The review usually lasts around 30 minutes and will be carried out by a pharmacist.

They’ll look at the medication record and work with you to look at and to understand all aspects of the person’s life. This is so they can understand:

• if they may have developed a side effect to the medication
• if their health has changed.

The way in which the body handles medication can change. If this is the case, the pharmacist may suggest:

• some changes to the medicines, either to a new or different version
• changing the dose
• changing the time of day
• starting or stopping a medication.

Any reasons for changes and the benefits will be explained to you. You’ll have the chance to ask any questions or raise any concerns you might have.

We recommend that you make a list of questions you may have. You may want to consider some of the below:

• What is the medicine for?
• When and how to take it
• How long is it to be taken for?
• How do I know if the medicine is working?
• What should I do if I have any problems with the medication?
• Are there any foods that should be avoided?
• What happens if a dose is missed?

Further information

If you’ve any questions please contact the team on the details above.

This leaflet is also available in easy read and can be read with support to help you understand