Medicine safety & optimisation Polypharmacy As more people live longer with multiple long-term health conditions, the number of medicines they take often increases. Managing multiple medicine regimes can create a significant burden for the patient and it may cause them harm. More broadly, problematic polypharmacy can be costly for the healthcare system, and wasted medicines have a negative impact on the environment. I will focus more on shared decision making for more efficient outcomes for patients and will look at the resources and de-prescribing algorithms provided during the session and will put them into practice. I have been hesitant on approaching de-prescribing due to confidence but will start with few medication groups and continue to build on it. Polypharmacy local training participant. The Health Innovation Network national polypharmacy programme is creating clinical, multi-stakeholder communities of practice across England, focusing on problematic polypharmacy within local areas. In Kent Surrey and Sussex, we are working with ICSs and ICBs to deliver the three areas of the national polypharmacy programme, including: 1) Identifying patients most at risk National learning events for healthcare professionals, focusing on using data to identify patients at risk and offer Structured Medication Reviews. 2) Education and training Delivery of Polypharmacy Action Learning Sets (ALSs), local communities of practice and masterclasses to upskill the primary care workforce to be more confident about stopping unnecessary medicines. 3) Supporting Structured Medication Reviews A suite of resources for patients and their practitioners focusing on increasing understanding of Structured Medication Reviews and supporting open conversations about medicines. Statistics Between 2022 - 24: 460 participants attended 10 Communities of Practice held across KSS 5 local stakeholders were sponsored to become polypharmacy trainers by attending national evidence-based polypharmacy Action Learning Sets (ALS). 320 people attended NHSBSA Polypharmacy Prescribing Comparators Webinars in KSS between April 2022 – June 2024 82 delegates took part in ALS in KSS between April 2022 – March 2024 Events We deliver a series of free national education and training events, including Action Learning Sets, masterclasses and webinars. Polypharmacy Action Learning Sets – Register interest for future cohorts Help build GP and prescribing health care professionals' confidence in, and understanding of, the complex issues surrounding stopping inappropriate medicines safely. Event More ← → News and case studies Helping Kent, Surrey and Sussex approach polypharmacy – success and resources As the Health Innovation Network’s Polypharmacy: Getting the Balance Right programme draws to a close, we reveal its impact in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and share resources to keep the momentum going. News 5 Nov 2025 More Helping Sussex take a new approach to polypharmacy Principal pharmacist Helena Stimpson discusses how the Health Innovation Network’s polypharmacy programme influenced her team’s approach to structured medicine reviews (SMRs), and how she is sharing what she learnt in Sussex. Blog 5 Aug 2025 More Tackling problematic polypharmacy The Polypharmacy programme addresses the growing challenge of problematic polypharmacy, where patients take multiple medications, increasing their risk of harm and hospital admissions. Case Study 3 Jul 2025 More New Repeat Prescribing Toolkit introduced to Primary Care Teams Health Innovation KSS recently hosted three workshops to introduce the newly released RCGP/RPS endorsed Repeat Prescribing Toolkit to practices and PCNs, as part of our work with ICB Medicines Optimisation/Management Teams across our region. News 2 Jul 2025 More Tackling problematic polypharmacy in Surrey Heartlands Find out how Health Innovation Network accredited polypharmacy trainers have helped transform practice in Surrey Heartlands. BlogCase Study 25 Jun 2025 More Polypharmacy Community of Practice: Preparing patients for a Structured Medication Review Health Innovation KSS recently facilitated a Community of Practice shared learning event to help clinicians to prepare patients for a Structured Medication Review (SMR). Case StudyNews 9 May 2025 More Structured Medication Review resources boost patient engagement and improve the quality of consultations It’s one year since the Health Innovation Network launched its NHS-branded patient information materials to support people invited for Structured... News 31 Oct 2024 More Vivisco project awarded funding as part of Reducing Drug Deaths Innovation Challenge The government has announced the twelve projects awarded a share of £5 million to reduce rates of fatal drug overdoses, including Vivisco Smart Revive Beacon for Opiate Overdose in partnership with KSS AHSN, Forward Trust, Kent Count Council and Southeast Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. News 21 Sep 2023 More Transforming Asthma Pathways – FeNO Impact Report New report shows impact of FeNO national programme on asthma care in England A new report is showcasing the impact of... News 30 Jun 2023 More Better asthma outcomes for patients and planet – comms toolkit Clean air day Thursday 15 June 2023. On Clean Air Day (15 June 2023) three Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs)... News 15 Jun 2023 More Is it time to reimagine patient information? New report highlights urgent need to modernise and improve understanding of the patient information leaflets (PILs). News 28 Mar 2023 More Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing FeNO is a non-invasive test to measure the amount of nitric oxide in an exhaled breath, a biomarker for airway inflammation Case Study 1 Feb 2023 More ← → Resources Structured Medication Reviews A range of evidence-based resources to support and help prepare people who have been invited for a Structured Medication Review with their GP, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. Link The mechanics of tackling overprescribing and problematic polypharmacy A guide to help primary care organisations and integrated care boards understand and address problematic polypharmacy. Link Recording: Polypharmacy lunchtime masterclass: prescribing safely in older people May 2024 Link Recording: Polypharmacy lunchtime masterclass: stopping antidepressants safely June 2024 Link Recording: Polypharmacy: Supporting patients to get the most out of their structured medication review July 2024 Link Recording: NHS BSA Understanding the Data Webinar November 2023 Link National Polypharmacy QI poster library Specific examples of these from the KSS region cover areas such as Proton Pump Inhibitors, Anticholinergics, Anticoagulants and improving medication reviews in older patients at risk of falls due to medicines causing low BP. M Link Recording: Polypharmacy Lunchtime Masterclass: Medicines and the risk of falls in older people October 2024 Link Recording: Polypharmacy and Learning Disabilities Masterclass March 2025 Link Contact us If you’d like to find out more about Polypharmacy or any of our other medicine safety and optimisation programmes, get in touch. Get in touch