Publication of clinical guide and patient leaflet for opioid prescribing for chronic pain

Launch of new Scottish Government guidance on opioids, developed in partnership with people with lived experience.

The ALLIANCE is pleased to see the publication today of a Clinical Guide and Patient Leaflet for Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain. The ALLIANCE worked closely with the Scottish Government to develop the patient friendly leaflet to complement the full guide. This was coproduced through working in partnership with people with experience of chronic pain. In conversation with them, we understand that centring what matters most to people around the taking of their medication is vital. We thank all those that attended our engagement session and contributed to the person-friendly leaflet. Their lived experience has informed our work in this area, and their insights need to be at the heart of guidance moving forward.

The leaflet can be accessed here and below.

In collaboration with colleagues from NHS Scotland, academia and people with lived experience, the Scottish Government has developed the complementary clinical Guide. This resource focuses on delivery of safe person centred care through promoting safe prescribing and practical review of opioids to ensure their effective use in clinical practice and prevent addiction and dependence. The guide also aims to promote shared decision making using the 7 step medicine review model, self-management and non-pharmaceutical treatment of chronic pain, in order for patients to be involved in all steps of their treatment. The 7 step process allows for constructive conversations between those who take medicines and those that prescribe them, in order to ensure that people get the very best out of the medicines that they take. This approach is grounded in the principles of Realistic Medicine(this link will take you away from our website) and person-centred practice.

The Clinical Guide (this link will take you away from our website) is currently available as a draft and the Scottish Government would be happy to receive feedback which should be sent to  EPandT@gov.scot by 21 January 2022.

ALLIANCE Director of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, Irene Oldfather commented:

“Ensuring that people are full partners in their medication choices is central to future good practice. This leaflet aims, in a person friendly way, to ensure that in relation to taking medication and medication reviews people understand what to expect from their prescribing teams. The What Matters To You framework (this link will take you away from our website) also allows for constructive conversations and supported decisions. The ALLIANCE is grateful to all those who supported the coproduction of this leaflet.”

For more information on the leaflet please contact ALLIANCE Director of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at irene.oldfather@alliance-scotland.org.uk A limited supply of paper copies have been produced and will be distributed amongst stakeholders in 2022

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