The performance of the Prescribing Quality and Efficiency Programme (PQEP) from April to October 2016 shows we are building momentum in our efforts to improve the quality of prescribing practice across NHS Lanarkshire.

Dr Iain Wallace, medical director and executive sponsor for the programme, said: “Many people are involved in leading and supporting the programme of work across primary and secondary care. As a result of the significant effort in the form of initiatives and schemes put in place to mitigate and avoid further costs, the prescribing spend at the end of the year is likely to be at or around budget.

“The collective input of staff and our general practitioner partners has been pivotal in getting us to where we are now. Practice-based pharmacists have also played a critical role in achieving results.

Chief executive Calum Campbell added: “As a result of the success achieved to date, and also in recognition of the pressures facing general practice, the programme has secured additional investment to support prescribing management support in general practice. Through this we aim to maintain and build on the momentum gained so far.

“We appreciate that everyone is incredibly busy and a concentration on prescribing issues can be extremely challenging, however please do not underestimate how even the smallest action can make a valued contribution.

“I would like to thank everyone for their input so far and for your continued involvement. Going forward we hope that many of the principles established over the past months can be extended to further improve the quality, safety and efficiency of prescribing across Lanarkshire.”

If you have any suggestions for areas of work the PQEP should focus on, please contact Kate Bell, PQEP programme director – kate.bell@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.

More information is available on FirstPort – just search for ‘PQEP’.