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. The project 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 (if required) so patients and practices can participate with minimal extra workload.  

Objectives  

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

• Reduce 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 (long term).  

• Exclusions – end-of-life care, active malignant disease, chronic diarrhoea, dementia, and care home residents. 

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.  

3. Opioid Medicines Review 

• Interested patients can then be booked into an opioid review (phone or face-to-face) by the practice.  

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

Practice Participation Form