Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust improves patient care and accuracy of diagnosis for people with a learning disability
Providing individualised and person-centred care is of the utmost importance at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT). Reflecting on Learning Disability Week (16 to 22 June), CWPT is proud to be driving forward the national agenda of stopping the overmedication of people with a learning disability and autistic people (STOMP) across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The STOMP agenda looks at ensuring people with a learning disability and autistic people are not over prescribed psychotropic medications. As a leader in learning disability and autism services, CWPT has undertaken significant work to ensure this is a top priority across all services, to make meaningful changes for patients in their care.
One patient who has benefited from this initiative is Sam*.
Sam is a 41-year-old patient who has accessed mental health services for over 20 years. His original diagnosis included mixed personality disorder, and he had presented with a history of behaviours of concern, self-harm and suicidal ideation. He was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Sam also exhibited long-term patterns of substance abuse to regulate his emotions, all of which was potentially leading to over-medicating.
After reviewing the medication Sam was being prescribed, the doses of his psychotropic medications were improved, based on the implementation of the national STOMP agenda. Sam was given medication to treat his new ADHD diagnosis. CWPT's team of clinicians also worked collaboratively with other local services to ensure support mechanisms were in place that best suited Sam. This revised treatment plan has led to Sam achieving the longest period recorded in his medical history without using recreational drugs, with no overdoses or self-harm episodes recorded in over 4 months. Sam has also shown improved mental awareness and engagement with his social care and community services, meaning he is able to fully benefit from all the local services that can support him.
Dr Lihini Ekanayake, the psychiatrist working on Sam's case, said: This case illustrates exactly why STOMP is essential. By focusing on appropriate prescribing, individualised care, and collaborating with other local services, we can support people with learning disabilities and mental health needs to live more independently and with dignity.
Dr Richard Onyon, Chief Medical Officer at CWPT, said: Patients are at the heart of everything we do at CWPT, and our work around STOMP is just one programme of work that supports health equity across our services and our communities. A huge well done to all of those involved.
Dr Hassan Mahmood, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for CWPT's learning disability and autism services, said: We are proud of the work that we do around STOMP in CWPT for the benefit of service users.
*Names have been changed to ensure privacy of patients in our care.