Tackling overmedication: How south east London’s STOMP clinic supports people with learning disabilities
Data from south east London shows that 25% of individuals with a learning disability are prescribed at least one mental health medication without a documented diagnosis in their GP records. These prescriptions are often not regularly reviewed, which may contribute to continued use without clear clinical justification and could impact quality of life. The Stopping Over-Medication of People (STOMP) with a Learning Disability and Autistic People (LDA) clinic was established to support this group of service users and to encourage safe, effective, and person-centred care.
STOMP has been a key component of NHS England’s initiative to reduce the unnecessary use of psychotropic medications. Research shows that individuals with a learning disability are 16 times more likely, and those with autism seven times more likely, to be prescribed antipsychotic medication compared to the general population. These medications can have significant side effects, including sedation, weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, hormonal changes, and sexual dysfunction—all of which can negatively affect quality of life.
The STOMP clinic was developed to help bridge this gap over an 18-month period by offering a structured, primary care-based pathway. The STOMP clinic helps ensure individuals receive the right medication at the right time for the appropriate duration through regular reviews and personalised treatment adjustments. It also focuses on improving quality of life and reducing health inequalities by addressing barriers to care, such as communication challenges and anxiety around clinical appointments.
The clinic uses a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together learning disability nurses, pharmacists, and behaviour practitioners who specialise in LDA care. This team works collaboratively to review the use of psychotropic medication, especially when prescribed in the absence of a diagnosed mental illness, and to explore non-pharmacological strategies to address behavioural concerns.
Recognising that anxiety can often be a barrier to accessing GP services for both service users and their caregivers, STOMP clinicians offer reasonable adjustments—such as home visits—to improve engagement and comfort. The team works closely with GPs across south east London to identify eligible individuals and co-develop personalised medication reduction plans. Throughout this process, they provide ongoing support and liaise with specialist community teams, including mental health learning disability services from South London and Maudsley and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.