De-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids within WHSCT

The request was successful.

Dear Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland),

This request relates to the service provided within the WHSCT relating to de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids.

This request does NOT relate to instances of drug misuse.

This request does relate specifically to those cases where there is an underlying condition leading to a need for chronic or acute pain management for which opioids have been prescribed and has led to dependence. De-escalation and withdrawal management from opioids in these cases needs to be done in conjunction with the requirement to continue treating the underlying condition.

[1] What pathway does the WHSCT follow in dealing with de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids?

[2] What existing guidelines does the WHSCT adhere to in dealing with de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids?

[3] What are the organisational units (team structure & hierarchy) involved in providing de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids? (Can the hierarchy be provided up to Director level please?)

[4] Is there a specific multi-disciplinary team set up for providing de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids? If so – can you provide the membership of the MDT team and state how often that it has met in the last 12 months?

[5] How many cases of de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids has WHSCT initiated and managed since 1st April 2016?
Can this information be broken down by year:
- 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017
- 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018
- 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019
- 1st April 2019 to current day

[6] What is the existing policy within the WHSCT for managing de-escalation and withdrawal management of prescribed opioids at present?
This should include – but not be necessarily limited to – use of care plans, patient involvement in decision making, support systems availability, liaison with local GP’s, regular consultation expectations, continuous review.

Yours faithfully,

Jimmy Hamill

FOI Request, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland)

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We acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information request (below) which was sent to the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland).  Our reference number for this request is listed in the subject line of this email and should be quoted in any future communications about this request.

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Kind Regards

Freedom of Information Office
Western Health & Social Care Trust
Email: [Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland) request email]

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FOI Request, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland)

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This e-mail is covered by the disclaimer found at the end of the message.

Dear Mr Hamill

I refer to your Freedom of Information (FOI) request below which was received by the Western Health and Social Care Trust on 29th August 2019. Please see attached a Trust response to your request.

Regards

Freedom of Information Office
Western Health & Social Care Trust
Email: [Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland) request email]

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