Whole-system approach to opioid risks

Health Innovation North West Coast’s patient safety team have sustained their support for a programme to reduce the risks posed by opioid drugs during the past year.

Pharmacists in the North West Coast are developing a ‘whole-system’ approach to the challenge of high-risk opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain, in line with national priorities.

Opioids offer excellent pain relief in certain circumstances but can do more harm than good when used over the long term and at higher doses.

Health Innovation North West Coast’s Patient Safety Collaborative has supported the development of multi-agency partnerships at ‘place’ level across the region as part of coordinated efforts to tackle the challenge.

Senior pharmacists from our region’s 14 places have completed courses run by Health Innovation North West Coast’s Coaching Academy aimed at building the capacity and capability to make improvements to services.

Testimonials from course participants, who discussed their relationships with colleagues and patients in light of their coaching experience, included:

‘The courses were thought-provoking and challenged my pharmacy skills, which can be process-driven, to open my mind to a coaching approach as I can see the benefits to patients and staff’

‘I am having different conversations with people which are more impactful’

The team also supported both integrated care systems to undertake a ‘rapid insights’ session during 2024-2025, the outputs of which have helped both systems explore their action plans and priority areas.

Official estimates suggest that for every 62 patients with chronic pain who can be supported with alternatives to long-term analgesia, one life can be saved. If the trend were left unchecked, around 6,000 people a year would need hospital treatment for adverse events while taking opioids for extended periods.