Learning Disability Week, 15-21 June 2026
Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley has been working with the NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board to help people with a learning disability, at risk of behaviour that challenges, to avoid harm from psychotropic medicines.
These affect brain function, mood and behaviour and can cause side-effects and harm. Where possible psychotropic medicines should be avoided for behaviour that challenges. But when needed, prescribing should be at the lowest dose, reviewed regularly, and stopped as soon as possible.
System mapping activities have taken place across the Thames Valley, including a focussed neighbourhood approach in Windsor and Maidenhead. Stakeholders across healthcare, local authority, voluntary sector, families and carers explored the challenges and barriers influencing high-risk prescribing of psychotropics in people with a learning disability.
Action planning sessions have developed opportunities and identified priority improvements. The next phase involves supporting local teams to begin testing changes. Improvements will be measured through monthly prescribing data. This whole-system approach is part of the NHS Medicines Safety Improvement Programme.
Orla Macdonald, Consultant Pharmacist for Learning Disability and Autism, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West, said: “It can be difficult to bring about changes in practice, especially in vulnerable populations who might struggle to speak up about what they want.
“Working with the Health Innovation Network and NHS England to try and address the overuse of antipsychotics in people with a learning disability has been really exciting with all stakeholders striving to gather ideas and generate actions to improve care.”