Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) will pledge to play its part in reducing the over-medication of people with learning disabilities and / or autism during a special conference taking place next month.
The trust will host the STOMP (stop over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both) event in Diss on Thursday, November 15. Its aim is to raise awareness of the risks of over-using psychotropic medicines, which can affect the mind, emotions or behaviour, so that people with learning disabilities and autism can stay well and enjoy a good quality of life.
David Gerrard, who is joint pharmacist lead for STOMP at NHS England, will also talk in more detail about the national programme, while service users and carers from Norfolk and beyond will share their personal stories.
Sue Bridges, professional lead on learning disabilities and autism with NSFT, said: 'We are really pleased that our trust is supporting this important national initiative. Reducing the overuse of medication is everyone's responsibility, and can play a huge role in helping people with learning disabilities and autism to stay well and enjoy a good quality of life.
'It is really important that people only receive psychotropic medication when all other approaches have been considered, and that both the individual and their families or carers need to be involved in the decision-making and are aware of the potential side effects.'
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