NEWS Focusing on best practice in use of medicines


A new regional innovation centre, which aims to ensure better health outcomes for the population through the consistent delivery of best practice relating to the use of medicines, was launched last month (October) at Antrim Area Hospital.


Much has been done in recent years to improve the way medicines are used and Northern Ireland is now recognised as one of the leading regions in Europe in addressing the health and social care needs of the older population through innovation in medicines optimisation.


However, it is felt that more action is needed to gain the best outcomes for patients from their medicines and to ensure clinical effectiveness, whilst both reducing avoidable adverse events and waste.


Speaking at the launch of the


Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Richard Pengelly, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said,


“Our growing and ageing population, along with an increasing prevalence of chronic illness and unhealthy lifestyles, has placed an unprecedented burden on services, as well as a high demand for medicines.


“But there is a clear vision for the HSC in Northern Ireland. We are redesigning our HSC services to better meet the needs of the individual, improve public health and social wellbeing, improve quality and safety and ensure value.


“We must be innovative about the way we work across the HSC and it is vital that we look at how new models of care and technologies can be used to help people to manage their own health.


“Through research, innovation, quality improvement and knowledge


Professor Michael Scott, Northern Trust Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management with Dr Jill Mairs, Regional Procurement Pharmacist, Northern Trust


transfer, the MOIC will support better patient outcomes by developing and sharing best practice with regards to medicines use. This work is invaluable and will contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of people not only in Northern Ireland, but throughout the UK and across Europe.”


Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Bob McCann added, “Our strategic plan reflects the need to invest in exploring, promoting and adopting opportunities for innovative ways of working and raising quality. We are therefore delighted to host this excellent facility and I look forward to it making a significant impact not just on the Northern Ireland stage but also further afield.”


Although the new centre, which is part of a new innovation and education facility at the Northern Trust, will initially develop and test solutions for the benefit of the local health and social care system, there is also the potential for these to be developed commercially, marketed and sold to other countries.


The Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre will provide a focus for developing a systematic approach to finding and testing solutions for the HSC and will have the following functions:


• Project managing an innovation programme of research and development projects


• Developing, testing and evaluating solutions to pre-commissioning stage


• Supporting successful translation into HSC service delivery and commissioning


• Helping projects to access and utilise available funding streams


• Providing a regional centre of expertise for research and service development in medicines optimisation and post-implementation review of service delivery


• Building local expertise and competence in developing and translating research into practice


• Developing a hosting programme and also expediting knowledge transfer to other to other countries


World leading mental health service for NI


In Northern Ireland there are higher rates of self-harm, and both common and more serious mental health problems. It is estimated that mental health problems in Northern Ireland are 20–25% higher than in the rest of the UK.


To that end, a world leading mental health service has been established here to provide high quality effective treatment for people experiencing trauma related mental health problems.


Making the announcement Health Minister Simon Hamilton said the


service was essential, explaining, “Around one in every four adults will experience a diagnosable mental health problem at any given time. Indeed, this makes mental ill health the largest cause of disability in Northern Ireland. We know that much of this is directly related to the legacy of the Troubles.


“A study this year found that over 213,000 people in Northern Ireland are experiencing significant mental health problems as a result of the Troubles. Worryingly, the report also


noted that that traumatic experiences and exposure to violence can lead to adverse mental health and other consequences not only for the person themselves, but also for subsequent generations.”


The Minister continued: “I want Northern Ireland to become a world leader in treating people with psychological trauma. On this basis, I have tasked officials to create an innovative service which will meet the needs of those suffering from mental trauma.


DRUG MISUSE STATISTICS


The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has published the Statistics from the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database: 1 April 2014 – 31 March 2014.


The statistical bulletin provides information on individuals presenting to treatment services with problem drug misuse that is collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was established in April 2000.


In Northern Ireland during 2014/15:


In Northern Ireland in 2014/15, a total of 2,262 clients presented to services for problem drug misuse and gave their consent for their details to be included in the DMD. This was 12% lower than in 2013/14 (2,574 clients).


Four-fifths of clients (80%) were male. Male clients were younger than female clients. For males, 32% were aged 18-25 and 17% were aged over 40 years old. For females, 23% were aged 18-25 and 32% were aged over 40 years old.


Two-fifths of those presenting for treatment (40%) took just one drug, while a fifth (21%) took two drugs, 16% took three drugs and 23% took four or more drugs.


Four-fifths of all clients (79%) used at least one hypnotic drug, with 56% of all clients using a hypnotic drug as their main drug of misuse. Almost half of all clients (49%) used at least one stimulant drug, with it being the main drug for a fifth of all clients (19%).


Almost a third of all clients (32%) used at least one opioid analgesic drug, with 22% of all clients using one as their main drug of misuse.


Considering all drugs used by clients, the most commonly reported drug was Cannabis (used by 65% of clients) followed by Benzodiazepines (used by 36% of clients) and Cocaine (used by 34% of clients). Cannabis was used by 42% of clients as the main drug of misuse in 2014/15, up from 39% in 2013/14.


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