Stopping over-medication of people with intellectual disability, Autism or both (STOMP) in England part 1 – history and background of STOMP

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Ahead of Print. Purpose The programme – Stopping the over-medication of people with an intellectual disability, Autism or Both (STOMP) is a three-year programme supported by NHS England. Concern about the overuse of antipsychotic drugs has been a constant theme since the 1970s. However, despite a multitude of guidelines the practice c ontinues. The report into the events at Winterbourne View not only raised concerns about the overuse of antipsychotic drugs but of antidepressants and multiple psychotropic drug use. The purpose of this paper is twofold: Part 1 is to present the history and background to the use of psychotropic drug s in intellectual disabilities, autism or both; and Part 2 presents the progress with the STOMP programme. Design/methodology/approach The review tracks the various concerns, guidelines and attempts to tackle the issue of over medication of people with intellectual disability autism or both. Fin dings The review identifies that despite the many studies and guidelines associated with the prescribing of psychotropic drugs for people with an intellectual disability, autism or both the practice is common. Programmes that minimise the use of psychotropic drugs involve a full use of the multidisc iplinary team and an availability of alternative methods of managing challenging behaviours. Originality/value STOMP is part of an English national agenda – Transforming care. The English Government ...

Source: Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities - September 14, 2018 Category: Disability Source Type: research