Updates

First year anniversary of STOMP

September 14, 2017

The STOMP – Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both – initiative was started by NHS England in 2016 to help make sure that people with learning disabilities or autism are not given psychotropic medicines when these are not appropriate.

The aim of STOMP is to ensure that people get the right medicine when they need it. It encourages regular medicines review and supports health care professionals to involve people in decisions and to show how families and social care providers can be involved. STOMP also aims to improve awareness of non-drug therapies and practical ways to support people whose behaviour is seen as challenging.

STOMP was established following a report that psychotropic medicines were being used to calm patients with learning disabilities or autism who were considered to have challenging behaviour, even though they did not have a diagnosed mental health disorder. These included medicines used to treat psychosis, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder and epilepsy.

The STOMP pledge has been signed by many Royal Colleges and Societies including the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of GPs, Royal Pharmaceutical Society and British Psychological Society.

NHS England marked the first anniversary of STOMP with a review of the year and the launch of a play by the MiXIT theatre group in Newcastle. The group includes people with a learning disability, autism or both and shows the effects that over-medication can have on the health and wellbeing of individuals and their families.

You can read more about STOMP, and download guidance and toolkits, here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/stomp/

You can look up the latest activity on twitter using the hashtag #STOMPLD