NHS Somerset Drives Stroke and Wasted Medicines Awareness Campaigns

"Are your medicines going down the drain"?

NHS Somerset asks patients to help reduce £2 million wasted medicines bill.

Health professionals in Somerset are asking their patients to help themselves and the NHS by reducing the cost of wasted medicines.

NHS Somerset spends £73 million each year on medicines for patients. It is estimated that at least 3% of this budget - around £2 million pounds - is wasted on prescriptions which are never or rarely taken by the patient.

Not only is this money which could be used to fund local health services, but an extra £60,000 has to be spent by each year in Somerset to just to collect and incinerate the wasted medicines that are returned.

Shaun Green, Head of Medicines with NHS Somerset said: "People often don't realise that medicines cannot be reused or recycled once dispensed. We are therefore asking local people to support our campaign and try to avoid ordering medicines they no longer require.

"There are also good clinical reasons for being careful about the medicines we take. We estimate some 10% of hospital admissions are caused by patients taking their medicines incorrectly or not being taken at all. This risks your own health and adds to the burden of cost to the NHS.

"There may be many and varied reasons why patients decide not to take their medicines. However, if you intend to stop taking your prescription medicines then please discuss this first with your community pharmacist or family doctor. By working together with your GP and pharmacist you will be helping your own health and reducing medicines waste.

Doctors orders - Four steps to watch what you waste

• Think before you tick! If you have a repeat prescription medicine, please check what medicines you have at home before ticking your prescription repeat request.
• Only order what you use - don't hoard it. If the pharmacy orders your medicines let them know when there is something you don't need. If you need the medicine in the future you can request it at a later date.
• Check your prescription bag before leaving the pharmacy. If there are any medicines you don't take any longer or have plenty of, tell the pharmacist and ask for them to be crossed off the prescription.
• Ask your pharmacist for advice. This may be your local community pharmacist who can provide a "medicines use review" or a pharmacist from the local Somerset Care Trust who works for your surgery. They will be able to help you understand how to get the best from your medicines.

Remember: Always dispose of unwanted drugs or medicines safely. Keep away from children and return them to your local pharmacist or GP surgery.

Act FA.S.T. Stroke Campaign Returns to Save Lives

Speedy response improves chances of survival

Somerset's stroke doctors have welcomed the announcement by the Health Secretary today that the award-winning stroke campaign adverts seen last year are back on our TV sets again from 1st - 20th March 2011.

Currently there are over 11,000 people (2% of the population) in Somerset registered with GPs as having had a stroke and every year around 20-30% of people will die within one month of experiencing a stroke. The term ‘stroke' describes a loss of brain function due to a blood clot or bleed in the brain.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "The faster a stroke patient receives treatment, the better their chances are of surviving and reducing long-term disability.

"In the campaign's first four months alone last year, stroke-related calls to the ambulance service increased by more than 55 per cent nationally. As part of our wider strategy to improve outcomes for stroke, re-running this campaign will save lives."

Recognise stroke symptoms - use the ACT F.A.S.T. TEST

• FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
• SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
• TIME: to call 999.

Fail a test? ACT F.A.S.T - call 999 without delay

Ian Evans, Consultant Nurse for Stroke at NHS Somerset said, "We have already seen an increase in the number of patients seeking medical advice following the initial campaign. The adverts have saved lives by making people aware of the symptoms of stroke and the importance of getting to hospital quickly.

"If a person fails any test then get them help immediately by dialling 999. A speedy response can help reduce the damage to a person's brain and improve their chances of a speedy recovery. A delay in getting help can result in death or long-term disabilities".

Ian added, "Don't ignore stroke-like symptoms that resolve themselves in 24 hours. They are mini strokes and are predictors of further mini strokes or a potentially more devastating stroke."

Worried about a stroke? Take steps to prevent a stroke:

Learn your personal risk factors

• Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol
• Be physically active and exercise regularly
• Avoid being overweight by keeping to a healthy diet
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke seek help to stop now
• Learn to recognise the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action F.A.S.T.

Help for a fresh start and healthier lifestyle

If you would like help changing to a healthier lifestyle to reduce your risk of having a stroke visit your GP and/or call The Fresh Steps NHS Health Trainer Service on 0800 412 5502. Health Trainers, part of the NHS workforce, live or work in local communities around Somerset and understand how to help you, or a member of your family, switch to a healthier lifestyle.

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