Pillar 3: Me + My Medicines

When it comes to getting the best from our medicines, we all need to know: it’s OK to ask. 

Me and My Medicines is a patient created, patient led, and clinician supported campaign to help people to have more meaningful conversations with clinicians about their medicines. 

Why are we doing it?

Unresolved issues relating to the choice, use and administration of medicines have been identified by patients as the biggest single barrier to preventing their proper use of medicines. Me + My Medicines is a patient charter, designed by patients for patients, to empower patients to be part of their healthcare. The charter is sent out to patient prior to their appointment to get them thinking about their medicines and what questions they would like to ask. Me + My Medicines encourages patients to ask and clinicians to support people to ask, about their medicines issues and to develop a shared approach to overcoming the obstacles they have/are experiencing. These conversations are guided by a Medicines Communication Charter. 

What’s happening in Wessex?

In January 2023, Health Innovation Wessex, along with colleagues across the network in England, formally piloted the Me + My Medicines campaign. Wessex worked locally with four PCNs to deliver the campaign. Our shared aim was to increase awareness in the region, benefit patients and, to collate and publish the lessons learned so others may adopt Me + My Medicines. 

Findings from small scale pilot testing

188 patient feedback forms were received across the three materials.  

Patients reported:

• Preparing for a medication review: 71% of patients agreed that the patient charter helped them to think about the medicines they take and what they needed to discuss about their medicines with their GP or pharmacist.
• Increased confidence: 64% of patients felt more confident talking to their GP or pharmacist about their medicines after reading the leaflet.

• Better conversations about medicines:  86% of patients agreed that they were able to have meaningful conversations about their medicines with their GP or pharmacist. 

40 clinicians completed a survey giving their views on using the materials in practice and reported:

• Over half agreed that the patient materials prompted them to think about how to discuss changing or stopping medicines with their patients.
• 56% agreed that the materials increased patients’ confidence to discuss how they feel about medicines.
• Over half (57%) recommend that all patients receive these materials from their practice when having a review or conversation about medicines.

• When asked about the impact of the materials on the length of medication reviews, 54% said consultation length was longer, 32% said the materials had no impact on consultation length and 14% said it made the consultation shorter. Despite the perceived longer consultation length 61% said they would continue to use the materials with patients even if the consultation was longer as a result

What next?

Following the feedback from the pilot study, a patient resources pack has been developed. 

The Resources to support patients having a Structured Medication Review is available on the Health Innovation Network website. It is free to download, but requires you to share your ICB. The resources resources include  are designed to support and prepare people who have been invited for a medication review and includes leaflets, videos, and symptoms trackers, with alternatives available in multiple languages and in audio formats. 

Our aim is to upscale and roll out across Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Dorset localities. 

If you are interested please get in touch: medicines.optimisation@hiwessex.net