World Patient Safety Day: Kent and Medway programme safer psychotropic prescribing
Date added: 17 September 2026
Last updated: 17 September 2026
A Kent and Medway patient safety programme is helping people with intellectual disabilities and autism receive safer, more appropriate psychotropic medication, reducing unnecessary medicines and the risk of potentially significant adverse effects.
The Kent and Medway STOMP/STAMP (Stopping Over Medication of People with a learning disability, autism, or both/Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics) programme has so far supported 30 medicines to be reduced, discontinued or avoided, helping to reduce unnecessary medication and support better quality of life for patients. The work has also delivered estimated annual savings of more than £27,000.
The results are being highlighted for World Patient Safety Day 2026, providing an opportunity to showcase how pharmacy leadership, multidisciplinary working and collaboration across the health and care system can improve medication safety and reduce avoidable harm.
The programme has undertaken more than 80 structured medication reviews and complex consultations involving people with highly complex physical and mental health needs, polypharmacy and medicines without a clear ongoing indication.
In one case, long-term antipsychotic treatment was safely discontinued for a patient who had remained stable for 15 years, reducing their exposure to potentially significant adverse effects.
The programme has also supported the appropriate management of chronic insomnia without unnecessary psychotropic medication, helping patients receive treatment that is appropriate to their individual needs.
Michael Trent, Specialist Pharmacist at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “World Patient Safety Day is an important opportunity to recognise the work taking place every day to make care safer for our patients. The Kent and Medway STOMP/STAMP programme is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we look beyond individual organisations and work together across the whole health and care system.
“Medicines can make an enormous difference to people’s lives, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that every medicine remains necessary, appropriate and safe. For people with intellectual disabilities and autism, this is particularly important. This programme is not simply about reducing medication; it is about ensuring that each person receives the right treatment for the right reasons, with their individual needs and quality of life at the centre of every decision.”
The programme was established to address inappropriate psychotropic prescribing, variation in clinical practice and limited awareness of non-pharmacological alternatives.
More than 1,000 health and social care professionals have received STOMP/STAMP training, while a single prescribing guideline has been developed and approved for primary and secondary care.
Evaluation has shown a 13% increase in awareness of STOMP and a 12.4% increase in awareness of STAMP, alongside improved prescriber confidence in reviewing psychotropic medication.
Jag Bahia, Chief Pharmacist at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “I am particularly proud of the leadership shown by our pharmacy team and the commitment of colleagues, partners and experts by experience across Kent and Medway. The results demonstrate what pharmacy leadership, multidisciplinary working and genuine system collaboration can achieve for patient safety.
“Most importantly, behind every medication reviewed or stopped is an individual person. Reducing unnecessary medication can mean fewer adverse effects, greater independence and a better quality of life. That is ultimately what patient safety is about.”
The programme is now developing a STOMP/STAMP Ambassador Network to share best practice, provide peer support and strengthen local leadership across Kent and Medway.
