Tackling over-prescribing a focus for Morton in new sustainable healthcare role
A GLASGOW based GP who grew up in Shetland has landed a new role with Healthcare Improvement Scotland which focuses on sustainability.
James Morton is keen to help tackle the issue of over-prescribing in the NHS – an issue that costs the health service £300 million in waste in the UK each year – by ensuring clinical guidelines and advice put prevention and non-pharmacological treatments ahead of those medicines that do not help improve the health of the patient in the long term.
The GP is advising people who take medications regularly to consider having a review with their GP at their next visit to ensure their healthcare regime is the right one for them.
Morton, who rose to national fame when he appeared on The Great British Bake Off in 2012, said: “There are so many things we can all do to help our own health and to cut down on over reliance that might lead to waste in the NHS.
“I would ask people, particularly those who have been on medicines for a long time, to have a look at what they are taking and review it with their GP to ensure they’re not taking them unnecessarily.
“I want to emphasise that this is not about saving money, but about improving health and encouraging people to have more involvement in their own health.
“Traditionally, this time of year is when lots of people resolve to try to lead healthier lives in the new year. It would be good for all of us to think about our health, and our healthcare regimes in general, as part of those fitness and improvement commitments.”
Morton is also encouraging people to look again, particularly over the festive period, at the regular medication they take and ensure they are not over-ordering on repeat prescriptions.
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In his new role, Morton has been elected as the new vice-chair of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Council, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
SIGN develops guidelines, based on the most recent medical research, to help health and social care professionals make decisions, with their patients, about care, and make sure patients get the best care available, wherever they live.
Director of evidence and digital at Healthcare Improvement Scotland Safia Qureshi said: “We are delighted that James is supporting us with our focus on sustainability.
“Our guidelines already have a keen focus on sustainability, for example, emphasising effective non-pharmacological treatments, such as our guideline on management of depression, and our forthcoming guideline on type two diabetes.
“We want our guidelines and advice to provide the best evidence that will empower people to be fully involved in decisions about their health and wellbeing.”
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