Dear Ms Mutch Steven Allen I refer to the Regulation 28 Prevention of Future Deaths Report relating to the above named and thank you contacting NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in this matter. am sorry to learn of the death of Allen and would ask that you pass on my sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time_ You explain that Mr Allen had a chaotic lifestyle and history of drug addiction and raise concern that despite this history , medication including Oxycodone, were prescribed via telephone consultation due to Covid 19 and on occasion replacement prescriptions were given with little challenge: The Practice take on board the comments included within the Regulation 28 Report and have undertaken review of this case and looked at their processes for the management of prescribing for patients in this vulnerable cohort; The practice are satisfied that this was an isolated case and that all clinicians do adhere to guidance in relation to informed prescribing and support of this patient group. As the commissioners of healthcare services for the Stockport population, Stockport CCG is keen to ensure that we learn from patient experience and consistently improve Mr

the services we provide_ In response to this case I can confirm that the following steps are in place to address the issue highlighted in this case: _ We acknowledge that drugs causing addiction is system wide healthcare challenge in Stockport and nationally_ can confirm that the review of high opioid prescribing and other drugs causing addiction has been highlighted in the national DES contract: The Medicines Management Team is currently in discussion with the Primary Care Network (PCN) Leads to explore the Stockport Integrated Pharmacy Service (SIPS) can support GP Practices in optimising medication reviews for this patient cohort; There are currently also resources available within Primary Care to support practices with high opioid prescribing; these are as follows:- Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group (GMMMG) Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain; Resource Pack Inappropriate Polypharmacy Review and Treatment Optimisation: Resource Pack Stockport GPs will be reminded of the availability of these resources and how to seek support in the next pharmacy newsletter. I do not under estimate the impact of addiction on any individual and/or their family and whilst I am mindful that I cannot undo what happened in this case, I hope Mr Allen's family will be reassured that steps are being taken to support our GPs in the prescribing of medications linked to addiction.