Project overview: 

Opioid Protect is a new digital programme offered to practices across the Gorleston and Lowestoft Primary Care Networks (Norfolk & Waveney ICB) to support proactive deprescribing and safer long-term use of opioid medicines. Funded by NHS England (£36 000) and delivered with a dedicated clinical pharmacist, the service reduces risk, improves outcomes and encourages non-pharmacological pain management for patients who have been prescribed opioids for more than six months. Eclipse provides end-to-end identification, engagement and booking so patients and practices can participate with minimal extra workload. 

Objectives 

• Proactively review patients at highest risk of opioid-related harm. 

• Reduce high dose / long-term opioid prescribing in line with national guidance. 

• Improve access to non-drug pain-management options and self-management resources. 

• Support practice workflow and capacity through centralised digital engagement. 

• Create a repeatable, scalable model for future deprescribing initiatives (e.g. antipsychotics). 

1. Patient Identification: 

Eligible patients are identified centrally in Eclipse using live prescribing data and agreed clinical rules: 

• ≥ 6 months opioid prescriptions  

• Exclusions – end-of-life care, active malignant disease.

2. Patient Engagement and Prioritisation: 

• SMS invitations link to an educational landing page explaining the review. 

• Patients complete a 5-minute online form covering pain control, side-effects and readiness to change. 

• Responses flow back to EMIS / SystmOne; Eclipse triages & prioritises high-risk patients first. 

• Where SMS is unsuccessful, Eclipse can follow-up by telephone (practice-approved). 

3. Opioid Medicines Review

• Interested patients book directly into a pharmacist-led opioid review (phone, video or face-to-face). 

• Standard clinic templates capture tapering plans, referrals and safety-netting advice. 

• A brief post-review questionnaire measures patient experience and programme impact. 

Practice Participation Form