In a prevention of future deaths report – sent when a coroner thinks action is needed to protect lives – Nieto said: “My specific concern is that there appear to be a significant number of people who are being prescribed opiate and opioid medications for chronic pain, often at high doses and for long periods, but may not be receiving support to reduce, stop, or substitute those medications.”
The inquest heard Boddington’s GP practice had started a programme to identify patients receiving long-term prescriptions for such medication, and to help them with agreed planned reduction, stoppage or substitution of them.
The practice had also introduced measures in an attempt to avoid patients being inappropriately prescribed opiate and opioid medications for chronic pain.
In his evidence, a GP partner said he was unaware of other practices in the Derbyshire area carrying out similar programmes, according to the report.
He also told the inquest there were “no specialist services” for patients who had developed a dependency on opiates and opioids, and that substance misuse services only worked with those with “non-prescribed drug issues”.
A spokesperson for the NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB said: “We extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Wendy Boddington following their tragic loss.
“We will consider the findings of the prevention of future deaths report carefully and reflect on any lessons identified.”
The ICB will have until 28 April to respond to the coroner’s report.