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First steps taken to prevent 'another Shipman'

01/08/2008

NHS and private healthcare providers need to do more to ensure that all concerns about how controlled drugs are prescribed are investigated, the health watchdog said today.

Tighter rules were brought in after GP Harold Shipman was convicted of killing 15 women with lethal doses of diamorphine in 2000.

In January 2007 new legislation required health services to monitor the prescription, storage and administration of controlled drugs.

These drugs include morphine, pethidine, and methadone and are controlled as they can be misused and sold for financial gain.

In a report today the Healthcare Commission said healthcare providers have taken positive steps to improve the monitoring and management of controlled drugs but warned more work is necessary to ensure all concerns are picked up, investigated and, where appropriate, action is taken.

The watchdog found that since the new laws came into force almost all NHS trusts and private hospitals have appointed an accountable officer responsible for monitoring the use of controlled drugs.

And healthcare providers have put better mechanisms in place for the management of controlled drugs, including improved documentation and procedures.

The Healthcare Commission said local intelligence networks must share information about controlled drug concerns, including concerns related to named individuals.

Its review found that individuals within the networks are not always confident to share information, including concerns about named healthcare professionals.

The study also revealed that some prescribers are unaware of the need to use a standardised form for private prescriptions for controlled drugs.

Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said: "Healthcare services have taken the first steps in minimising the risk of another Shipman. This is important in improving patient safety and it is to be welcomed.

"Much work is still necessary to embed the new networks and ensure that concerns about controlled drugs are picked up, investigated and, where necessary, acted upon."

She added: "Healthcare managers need to ensure that the networks are working effectively, staff feel able to raise concerns as appropriate and unusual patterns in the use of these drugs are investigated.

"We owe it to Shipman's victims and their relatives to be vigilant in ensuring that controlled drugs are managed safely and effectively."