Background
The ICB Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy team oversees and advises on the use of medicines that are given to patients across Hertfordshire and West Essex. These are medicines that patients get through GP services, hospitals, community clinics, community pharmacies and care homes.
As patients are living longer with more complex conditions and with continual advances in treatment, making sure that patients get the right medicine and are taking medication correctly is more important than ever.
Through their knowledge and expertise, the ICB Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation team works with patients and all the health and care services that support them to:
- Make sure that the medicines given to patients are used well and safely.
- Encourage people to understand their medicines and be involved in their own care.
- Avoid people taking unnecessary medicines or those that might be detrimental to them.
- Improve people’s health outcomes and support people to stay as well and as independent as they can.
- Reduce medicines waste.
The team have been working with local patients from the ICB’s Patient Engagement Forum on a project to improve the above outcomes. To support this work a survey was shared through patient and community networks to better understand individual experiences of taking prescribed NHS medicines.
Methodology
To better understand experience of taking prescribed NHS medication the ICB ran an online survey to hear from local patients, carers and family members. The survey was shared through the ICB’s people and communities distribution list, with a request to cascade to wider contacts. Over 500 people responded.
The survey was also promoted via social media and the ICB’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Alliance to reach a wider demographic.
Summary of feedback
- 51% of the 508 patients who responded are not confident to ask question about their medicines
- There is significant patient interest in having regular medicine discussions and 49% of people would like to know more about their medicines
- 22.5% of the patients who responded had not had a medicines discussion with a healthcare professional in the past year
- 62% of respondents remember having the benefits of their medication explained but 46% did not remember risks being discussed or clearly explained to them
- Of the patients who had taken part in medicine discussions 47% had been with a GP, 22% with a pharmacist, 10% with a nurse and 6% in hospital.
Patients’ suggestions for improving their understanding of the medicines they take
Key themes focus on improving the accessibility, clarity, and quality of communication around medications, ensuring patients are more informed, empowered, and supported in managing their health. Effective communication between patients and healthcare professionals was highlighted as a key area for improvement. This includes providing explanations about the benefits, risks, and alternatives to prescribed medications, and ensuring patients fully understand the side effects and long-term implications.
Some of the comments we received were beyond the scope of the survey and not the remit of ICB, with some being addressed nationally in the NHS 10 year plan.
In answer to the question: If you do not feel confident asking questions (from any healthcare professional) about your medicines, please explain why.
These themes highlight some of the challenges patients face in managing their medications and the importance of clear communication, accessibility, and education within healthcare settings.
Communication and clarity:
- Some participants expressed a desire for better communication with healthcare professionals, particularly when discussing complex topics like side effects or medication interactions. There were mentions of needing more personalized attention and clarity to fully understand treatment plans, especially when trying to discuss complex issues like side effects or drug interactions.
Confidence asking questions:
- Some individuals shared concerns about feeling hesitant to ask too many questions or voice their worries about medications, fearing that they might be judged or dismissed. This sometimes prevents patients from discussing their concerns fully, even when they want to be more involved in their care.
Information and education for patients:
- Many respondents expressed a desire for more detailed information about their medications, including side effects and the importance of regular reviews. There was a common theme of wanting more accessible education to help patients better understand their treatment options, sometimes leading them to rely on self-research.
Actions taken
- Developing a Universal Medicine Guide (UMG) that will be available to support best practice and address what matters most to patients and carers. This will be promoted in collaboration with Age UK and the Hertfordshire and West Essex Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) Alliance. It will also be promoted through a video aimed at encouraging both patients and health professionals to maximise the benefits of medicine reviews.
- Ensuring the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB website provides comprehensive and accurate medicines information for patients.
For more information on the survey responses and actions contact [email protected]
Summary of responses to survey questions
Responses received: 508
When did you last have a discussion with a healthcare professional?
- Less than 6 months ago: 265
- Between 6-12 months: 126
- More than 12 months: 102
- Never had a discussion: 13
- Don’t know: 4
Were any changes made to your medication as a result of the discussion?
- Yes: 249
- No: 248
- Don’t know: 12
Was your most recent discussion with:
- GP: 241
- Pharmacist in GP surgery: 112
- Nurse in GP surgery: 49
- Community pharmacist: 5
- Hospital healthcare staff: 32
- No discussion: 20
- Don’t know/not sure: 50
Was the following explained to you:
| Benefits | Risks | Alternatives | Risks of not taking medication |
| Yes: 314 No: 94 Partially: 93 Don’t know: 7 | Yes: 182 No: 234 Partially: 76 Don’t know: 15 | Yes: 88 No: 365 Partially: 44 Don’t know: 11 | Yes: 170 No: 257 Partially: 70 Don’t know: 11 |
Do you feel confident asking questions about your medication?
- Yes: 170
- No: 257
- Partially: 70
- Don’t know: 11
What matters most to you about the medication that you take?
- The beneficial effects: 406
- Knowing what each medication is for: 193
- Knowing what the likely side effects are and what to do if there are any: 207
- Having regular reviews and opportunities to discuss my medication: 246
- Knowing where to get more information: 84
- Other: 12
Survey responses demographics
We heard from 481 patients, 15 family members and 14 carers.
Age:
- 18-24: 4
- 26-35: 12
- 36-45: 24
- 46-55: 47
- 46-65: 96
- 65+: 319
Ethnicity:
- White Welsh/ English/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Irish: 444
- White and Black Caribbean: 4
- White and Black African: 1
- White and Asian: 3
- Indian: 10
- Pakistani: 4
- Bangladeshi: 1
- Black British Caribbean: 4
- Black African: 3
- Arab: 2
- Other: 21
Gender:
- Male: 168
- Female: 323
- Prefer not to say: 7
- Prefer to self identify: 1
Religion:
- No religion: 153
- Atheist: 16
- Buddhist: 3
- Christian: 252
- Hindu: 5
- Jewish: 26
- Muslim: 5
- Sikh: 5
- Prefer not to say: 21
- Other: 15
Sexual orientation:
- Heterosexual/straight: 456
- Lesbian: 7
- Gay: 4
- Bisexual: 4
- Prefer not to say: 24
Unpaid family carer:
- No: 326
- Yes (1-19 hours a week): 101
- Yes (20-49 hours a week): 22
- Yes (50 or more hours a week): 30
- Prefer not to say: 23