STOMP: Stopping the over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both
STOMP is a health campaign to stop the over-use of psychotropic medication to manage people’s behaviour.Between 2017 and 2019, more than 250 social care providers signed up to the STOMP pledge for social care. In doing so they committed to action to improve the quality of life of people with a learning disability, autism or both by ensuring they only receive psychotropic medication for the right reasons and in the right amount.
Providers who would like to receive occasional updates on developments in tackling over-medication can join our mailing list here.A range of resources has been produced across the health and social care sector to support providers in tackling over-medication.
Self-assessment and action planning tools
- The STOMP pledge for social care offers a framework to support social care providers to identify practical steps they will take to support people to reduce the amount of inappropriate psychotropic medication they take.
- The STOMP audit of the use of psychotropic medication enables providers to develop an overview of how these medicines are managed in their organisation.
Good practice resources
- Preparing to visit a doctor is a guide for a support worker who is accompanying a person with a learning disability, autism or both to a GP or consultant appointment to talk about psychotropic medication.
- Macintyre guide for staff on poly pharmacy.
- STOMP good practice guide by CMG is based on real life examples in reducing over-medication.
- Sense leaflet on keeping people safe and reducing restrictions and a poster on managing medication.
- Learning Disability Professional Senate guide, what can I do about challenging behaviour?
- Challenging Behaviour Foundation medication pathway for families of people with learning disabilities, autism or both who are prescribed or may be prescribed psychotropic medication.
- STOMP prescribing guidance for GP’s contains information on best practice for GP’s.
- Skills for Care workforce development resources support the use of alternatives to medication and minimise the use of restrictive practices in health and social care.
- BILD resources about positive behavior support.
- Care Quality Commission guide on positive behaviour support.
- Voiceability STOMP top tips for advocates.
- SPECTROM is developing a range of training modules on psychotropic medication and alternatives to medication.
Films
- Mixit STOMP it out!
- Walsingham Support STOMP film for people with learning disabilities.
- Let’s talk about poo and you by Dimensions.
- A series of films by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust about STOMP.
Case Studies
- Dimensions organisational case study on implementing STOMP.
- Walsingham Support organisational case study on engaging people who use services.
- Ben’s story at Turning Point.
- RI’s story about reducing chlorpromazine.
- Jo’s story at Sense.
- If in doubt – speak out! – a relative’s story.
Research
- Public Health England: Prescribing of psychotropic medication for people with learning disabilities and autism.
- Care Quality Commission: Survey of medication for detained patients with a learning disability.
- NHS Improving Quality: Improving the use of medicines in people with learning disabilities.
Further information
- Further resources and case studies are available on the NHS England website.