Hypnotics and Anxiolytics

On this page you will find resources to support practices in tackling the difficult area of prescribing anxiolytics and hypnotics including patient letters, leaflets and alternatives to medication.

Back to Prescribing Guidelines by Clinical Area

Prescribing Guidelines by Clinical Area

Prescribing of anxiolytics and hypnotics in Somerset is now significantly above the national average which is why it has been chosen as a safety and quality area to review as part of this year’s incentive scheme scorecard.

On this page you will find resources to support practices in tackling this difficult area of prescribing including patient letters, leaflets and alternatives to medication.

Material to Support Appropriate Prescribing of Hypnotics and Anxiolytics

Hypnotics

Insomnia

Deprescribing benzodiazepine and Z drugs used for insomnia

Referral pathway for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for insomnia

In line with NICE Guidelines for insomnia, GP practices have access to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) via referral to Somerset Foundation Trust (SFT) Talking Therapies. If, following an assessment by Talking Therapies, CBT-I is recommended then patients are given access to Silver Cloud’s online programme Space from Insomnia and Sleep Issues.

GP Practices may also previously have referred to Sleepstation for CBT-I. The current Sleepstation contract ends on the 19 December 2023 and therefore GP Practices will be unable to refer patients to Sleepstation service after this date.

All patients who require CBT-I after 19 December will need to self-refer or be referred to Somerset Foundation Trust Talking Therapies for assessment and onward referral to Silver Cloud as appropriate.

MHRA alerts

Hypnotics and Anxiolytics

Contact details

Quick links