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.
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.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults of any age.
See the Referral pathway below which contains links and a QR code to send to patients Space for Sleep.
Silver Cloud Link and Patient Resources
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 previously have referred to Sleepstation for CBT-I. The ICB Sleepstation contract ended on the 19 December 2023. Some PCNs may have their own contract with Sleepstation. If this is not the case in your PCN, patients who require CBT-I after 19 December 2023 will need to self-refer or be referred to Somerset Foundation Trust Talking Therapies for assessment and if CBTi is recommended they will have an onward referral to Silver Cloud’s online programme Space from Insomnia and Sleep Issues.
The QR Code for the Silver Cloud Website Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | Somerset Talking Therapies (somersetft.nhs.uk) for patients in a consultation with you:
Patients will then need to scroll to the bottom and click through to the link pictured below or call the number 03003230033 provided:
Self care resources for insomnia
Patient information leaflet – Sleeping tablets
Sleep problems and how to manage them
Every Mind Matters – How to fall asleep faster and sleep better
The following patient information leaflets can be accessed directly on EMIS, or via the links below:
Stopping benzodiazepines and Z-drugs
CBT for insomnia - how does it work?
Hypnotics and Anxiolytics Deprescribing Information
Please use the NHS Somerset Medicines Management tapering documents for patients using diazepam, temazepam or zopiclone for insomnia, with thanks to Dr Jon Dolman.
