Improving patient care and correct diagnosis: Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust leads drive to stop overmedication in learning disability and autism services
Patient safety and person-centred care are at the heart of everything Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) does. As part of this commitment, the Trust is leading the way across the region in delivering the national STOMP agenda (stopping the overmedication of people with a learning disability and autistic people).
The STOMP programme ensures people with a learning disability and autistic people are not over-prescribed psychotropic medications, instead receiving the right care, at the right time, tailored to their individual needs.
Regional leadership and recognition
CWPT has been recognised by Health Innovation West Midlands for its pioneering work in this area. The Trust's Deputy Chief Medical Officer for learning disability and autism services, Dr Hassan Mahmood, and Chief Pharmacist, Sarfraz Bolia, have been invited to provide leadership for the West Midlands region as part of the national Medicines Safety Improvement Programme (MEDSIP) for people with a learning disability. This programme aims to reduce harm from psychotropic medicines used to manage behaviour that challenges, supporting safer prescribing and better outcomes for patients.
CWPT teams have already been influencing positive change by:
- Delivering education sessions to South Warwickshire and Solihull community learning disability teams.
- Working with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to develop STOMP provisions in primary care.
- Collaborating with local organisations to promote safer, more person-centred care.
- Having good systems and leadership around prescribing of psychotropic medications.
- Continuing to develop a multi-disciplinary approach to meet the needs of service users.
Tackling health inequalities
CWPT is also ensuring this work reaches seldom-heard communities. Research shows that people with a learning disability from an ethnic minority background are at greater risk of being prescribed psychotropic medication for behaviours of concern than other people with a learning disability. To address this, CWPT has launched the innovative Multicultural STOMP initiative, developed by Dr Hassan Mahmood.
As part of the Cultural Inclusion Network, CWPT colleagues have partnered with local voluntary organisations - including Inini, Coventry Muslim Forum, The Tamarind Centre, Sahil Project, and others - to improve awareness, accessibility, and trust in services. A recent event brought together CWPT leaders, community representatives, and Coventry's Community Learning Disability Team to explore new ways of working together, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Marcia Jarrett, Chief Executive of the Tamarind Centre, Coventry said:
As an established mental health charity with over 30 years' experience in supporting people from African, Caribbean and South Asian communities, we have seen firsthand how not having a specific approach can impact an individual's quality of life. We welcome STOMP and what it represents. This can only result in a fair and equitable care for people who are very often marginalised in society.
Last Mafuba, Founder and CEO of Inini Initiative, whose work delivers culturally sensitive mental health services for its users, said:
We are delighted to see the Multicultural STOMP initiative creating real change. By connecting communities, voluntary groups, and health professionals, it's helping build trust and ensure every voice is heard in shaping fairer healthcare.
Dr Hassan Mahmood, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for CWPT's learning disability and autism services , added:
We are proud to be regional leaders with national influence in the STOMP agenda. Our work has been recognised by Health Innovation West Midlands, and we are determined to use this momentum to benefit service users. The Multicultural STOMP initiative shows how innovation, inclusion, and collaboration can directly reduce inequalities and improve patient care.
Looking ahead
CWPT's vision is to become a National Centre of Clinical Excellence for learning disability and autism services. By addressing inequalities, reducing avoidable harm, and improving outcomes, the Trust aims to set a national example of how services can work alongside communities to create real change.