Hospital prescribing of Haloperidol in your NHS Health Board area
Dear Highland NHS Board,
I am writing as part of a Freedom of Information request regarding statistical details of the prescribing of the antipsychotic medication generically called HALOPERIDOL. It may be that the all of the information that I request is already available through a publicly accessible database and if so could you please direct me to this.
The reason I write is that I am aware that Hospital Guidelines/Protocols for acute agitation, psychosis, behavioural or psychological disturbance generally seem to include Haloperidol as the first-line pharmacological treatment of choice, given either orally or intramuscularly. This week in the British Medical Journal the following paper has been published: “Change Page: “Don’t use antipsychotics routinely to treat agitation and aggression in people with dementia” http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6420
This refers to individuals who may be diagnosed with dementia, but I am aware that prescribing of Haloperidol, as part of Hospital Guidelines/Protocols is also part of management of Delirium.
I am ware that prescribing of Haloperidol is also routinely part of protocols in those aged under 65 for acute or chronic agitation, psychosis, behavioural or psychological disturbance.
Could you please answer the following questions as completely as possible:
1. For the last 5 years (2009 to 2013 inclusive) could you confirm the quantity of Haloperidol issued to cover all acute and community hospitals in your NHS Board area as per each strength:
ORAL TABLET HALOPERIDOL
0.5mg,
1.5mg,
5mg
10mg
20mg
ORAL LIQUID HALOPERIDOL
1mg/ml
2mg/ml
INJECTABLE HALOPERIDOL
5mg/ml
2. Can you supply any protocols/guidelines in place for your NHS Board area that include Haloperidol as part of a treatment pathway.
Can you confirm if you have a protocol for Delirium and if it includes recommendation of Haloperidol?
Can you confirm if you have a protocol for Dementia and if it includes Haloperidol as a treatment option for “BPSD” (Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia)
Can you confirm when each protocol was first issued?
Can you confirm if Haloperidol is ever prescribed in those under 16 years of age?
I am grateful for your help.
Yours faithfully,
Peter J Gordon
Dear Mr Gordon
Thank you for your FOI request.
I will seek the information you request and respond as soon as I receive it.
This will be within the 20 working days target specified by the Freedom of Information ( Scotland) Act 2002.
Please note if you have any further queries regarding this FOI please email at [NHS Highland request email] quoting the above reference.
Yours sincerely
Christina
Christina MacDonald
FOI Administrator
NHS Highland Assynt House, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BW
Telephone:01463 704927 | Email: [email address]
I work Mon - Thurs
Dear Mr Gordon
Please find attached a copy of our response to your recent Freedom of
Information request.
Please feel free to contact us again should you require any further
information
Thanks
Kenny Oliver
NHS Highland
Dear Kenny (NHS HIGHLAND),
Thank you for this most helpful reply of 16th December 2014
Yours sincerely,
Peter J Gordon
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