Valium prescriptions in Cambridgeshire to be reviewed

Valium prescriptions given to hundreds of people across Cambridgeshire are being reviewed after many were found to have been prescribed for too long.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found that Change Grow Live (CGL), who manage prescriptions on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, were prescribing the benzodiazepine, a type of sedative, for longer than the four weeks recommended by the NHS.

It also contravenes CGL's own prescription policy.

The CGL were found to have not regularly reviewed people's prescriptions, or kept proper records of these reviews.

Valium has been prescribed to many people with drug and alcohol dependencies, and is used to relieve nervousness, tension, and other symptoms of anxiety.

But if the drug is prescribed for too long, risks include dependence, withdrawal and drug-seeking behaviour.

CGL currently has 343 people on long-term Valium prescriptions, and provides drug and alcohol services for 50 other councils in the UK.

Nigel Ellis, the Chief Executive of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said "clinicians need to weigh up the benefits and risks for patients who are taking these medicines long term and should have a clear rationale for continuing to prescribe."

"I am pleased that patients in these vulnerable groups will now have their cases reviewed more regularly and comprehensively following my investigation."

He added that CGL and the Council fully cooperated with their investigation.

A CGL spokesperson said that “as the provider of drug and alcohol treatment services across Cambridgeshire, we are committed to providing the highest level of care to our service users."

"To that end, we recognise the findings in this report and have agreed to all the recommendations,” they added.

Cllr Richard Howitt, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Adults and Health Committee said that "as the commissioner of services from Change Grow Live, we fully accept the Ombudsman’s findings."

"We are already working with CGL to ensure their processes and policies are comprehensive and in line with updated national guidance."

Cllr Howitt added that the Council "will also be undertaking regular audits of their CGL's services, which will be part of the ongoing monitoring by the County Council.”