Medicines Safety Improvement Programme

The Medicines Safety Improvement Programme (MedSIP) is an NHS England-funded national improvement programme. Delivered locally through the Patient Safety Collaboratives hosted by the Health Innovation Networks, the programme supports improvements in medicines safety, quality of care and patient outcomes across health and care systems. 

Learn more about the national Medicines Safety Improvement Programme (MedSIP) for learning disability..

In Coventry and Warwickshire, MedSIP is being delivered across the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System (ICS). This brings together NHS organisations, primary care, community services, social care, pharmacy teams, patients, carers and wider partners.

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) plays a key role in supporting and delivering the programme locally. The programme aims to help people with a learning disability, at risk of behaviour that challenges, to avoid harm from psychotropic medicines.

Together, partners are working to:

• reduce avoidable medicines-related harm
• improve patient experience
• optimise the use of medicines 
• ensure that treatment continues to deliver meaningful benefit for the people and communities we serve

The MedSIP programme is designed to deliver meaningful improvements for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

We aim to:

• improve quality of life by ensuring medicines continue to provide benefit and do not cause unnecessary side effects
• reduce avoidable harm associated with long-term psychotropic medication
• increase access to person-centred medication reviews and shared decision-making
• ensure patients, families and carers are fully involved in decisions about treatment
• improve access to non-medicine support, including psychological, social and behavioural interventions where appropriate
• reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for people with a learning disability
• strengthen coordination between health, social care and community services, creating a more seamless experience for patients and carers
• support people to live healthier, more independent and fulfilling lives

By taking a whole-system approach, MedSIP aims to ensure that every person receives the right support, at the right time, from the right professionals. If you have a learning disability, or support someone who does, you can join MedSIP as an expert by experience. You will share your views and experiences, review information and resources, and feedback on new approaches. 

Our ambition is that people with a learning disability across Coventry and Warwickshire receive safe, effective and person-centred care.

We want to ensure that medicines are reviewed regularly, continue to provide meaningful benefit and are optimised or stopped when appropriate. Through collaborative working, system leadership and continuous improvement, we aim to reduce medicines-related harm, improve quality of life and support people to live healthier and more independent lives.

We are looking for people who would like to contribute to the MedSIP programme. If you want to get involved or feel you have something to offer, we want to hear from you. 

For further information about the MedSIP Programme, contact kanwal.umer@healthinnovationwm.org