POMH resources
Calendar-style planners have been developed to help our members plan their audit activities. The calendars show the expected time periods for data collection, data submission and reporting by POMH.
Please note that:
- calendars may be revised throughout the year – always check you’re referring to the latest version
- the expected reporting period will depend on the size of the data set and analysis required. We advise members of any changes to reporting periods once data cleaning and the preliminary analysis is complete.
- we provide the audit tool and other support materials one month before data collection begins, to help members plan and publicise their data collection
- data collection and online submission periods are stated separately on our calendars to help guide and assist local planning; these activities and timescales may overlap according to local requirements.
2025 planner
You can download our calendar for 2025.
2024 planner
Our calendar for 2024 is also available to download.
The 15-year anniversary report celebrates the achievements of POMH members and highlights the wider impact of our data in furthering evidence-based practice.
Our 10-year report is available to download. It summarises the quality improvement achieved by our participating members since our programme began in 2005.
The data and findings of our quality improvement programmes have led to a number of publications. A list of POMH papers in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and posters is provided below.
Papers in peer-reviewed journals
2024
Paton C, Bassett P, Rendora O, Barnes TRE (2024). Exploring the clinical factors affecting lithium dose and plasma level and the effect of brand. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology ;14.
Barnes TRE, Bishara D, Burns A, Myint PK, Rendora O, Edokpolor Pernia EM, Paton C (2024). Understanding the medication regimens associated with anticholinergic burden in older people’s mental health services in the UK.
Paton C, Gringras P, Ruan A, Rendora O, Bove G, Barnes TRE (2024) Quality of melatonin use in children and adolescents: findings from a UK clinical audit. .
2023
Sinclair J, Barnes TRE, Lingford-Hughes A, Drummond C, Loubser I, Rendora O, Paton C (2023). Management of medically assisted withdrawal from alcohol in acute adult mental health and specialist addictions in-patient services: UK clinical audit findings. BJPsych Open, 9(3), E61.
2022
Paton C, Citrome L, Fernandez-Egea E, Rendora O, Barnes TRE (2022). Journal of Psychopharmacology
Barnes TRE, MacCabe J, Kane JM, Delgado O, Khan M, Paton C (2022). . Journal of Psychopharmacology
Cousins DA, Barnes TRE, Young AH, Delgado O, Paton C (2022). . BJPsych Bulletin
2021
Paton C, Roy A, Purandare K, Rendora O, Barnes TRE (2021). . BJPsych Bulletin
Paton C, Craig TKJ, McConnell B, Barnes TRE (2021) . Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.
2020
Barnes TRE, MacCabe JH, Kane JM, Delgado O, Paton C (2020) . Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.
Paton C, Anderson IM, Cowen PJ, Delgado O, Barnes TRE (2020) . Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.
2019
Paton C, Adams CE, Dye S, Delgado O, Okocha C, Barnes TRE (2019). Physical health monitoring after rapid tranquillisation: clinical practice in UK mental health services. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
2018
Paton C, Cookson J, Ferrier IN, Bhatti SF, Fagan E, Barnes TRE. A UK clinical audit addressing the quality of prescribing of sodium valproate for bipolar disorder in women of child-bearing age
2016
Paton C, Bhatti S, Purandare K, Roy A, Barnes TRE. Quality of prescribing of antipsychotic medication for people with intellectual disability under the care of UK mental health services: a cross-sectional audit of clinical practice.
2015
Barnes TRE, Bhatti SF, Adroer R, Paton C. Screening for the metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medication:findings of a 6-year quality improvement programme in the UK.
Paton C, Crawford MJ, Bhatti SF, Patel MX, Barnes TRE. The use of psychotropic medication in patients with emotionally unstable personality disorder under the care of UK mental health services.
2014
Paton C, Barnes TRE. Undertaking clinical audit, with reference to a Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health audit of lithium monitoring.
2013
Paton C, Adroer R, Barnes TRE. Monitoring lithium therapy: the impact of a quality improvement programme in the UK. .
2012
Barnes TRE, Banerjee S, Collins N, Treloar A, McIntyre S, Paton C. Antipsychotics in dementia: prevalence and quality of antipsychotic drug prescribing in UK mental health services. .
Barnes TRE, Drake MJ, Paton C. Nocturnal enuresis with antipsychotic medication. Editorial.
Barnes TRE, Paton C. Role of the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health.
Price O, Baker J, Paton C, Barnes TRE. Patient Group Directions: a safe and effective practice?
2011
Barnes TRE, Paton C. Antipsychotic polypharmacy in schizophrenia: benefits and risks. .
Barnes TRE, Paton C. Improving prescribing practice in psychiatry: The experience of the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health (POMH-UK).
Barnes TRE, Paton C. Uncertainties page: Do antidepressants improve negative symptoms in schizophrenia? .
Paton C, Flynn A, Shingleton-Smith A, McIntyre S, Bhaumik S, Rasmussen J, Hardy S, Barnes TRE. Nature and quality of antipsychotic prescribing practice in UK psychiatry of learning disability services: findings of a national audit. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. .
Paton C, McIntyre S, Bhatti SF, Shingleton-Smith A, Gray R, Gerrett D, Barnes TRE. Medicines reconciliation on admission to inpatient psychiatric care; findings from a UK quality improvement programme. .
Shingleton-Smith A, Paton C, Barnes TRE. Antipsychotics: combined and high dose. In, 101 Recipes for Audit in Psychiatry. Edited by C Oakley, et al. 2011, 185-186.
2010
Barnes TRE, Paton C. Medication recommendations in the updated NICE guideline for the treatment and management of schizophrenia. Die Psychiatrie 2010, 7;18-24.
Collins N, Barnes TR, Shingleton-Smith A, Gerrett D, Paton C. Standards of lithium monitoring in mental health trusts in the UK.
Gerrett D, Lamont T, Paton C, Barnes TRE, Shah A. Prescribing and monitoring lithium therapy: summary of a safety report from the National Patient Safety Agency.
Paton C, Barnes TRE, Shingleton-Smith A, McAllister-Williams RH, Kirkbride J, Jones P, McIntyre S. Lithium in bipolar and other affective disorders: prescribing practice in the UK.
Pope A, Adams C, Paton C, Weaver T, Barnes TRE. Assessment of adverse effects in clinical studies of antipsychotic medication: survey of methods used.
2009
Barnes TRE, Shingleton-Smith A, Paton C. Antipsychotic long-acting injections: prescribing practice in the UK.
James L, Paton C, Lelliott P, Barnes TRE, Taylor D. Mood stabilisers and teratogenicity – prescribing practice and awareness amongst practicing psychiatrists. . .
Perecherla S, Paton C, Shingleton-Smith A, Barnes TRE. Variations in prescribing patterns for anti-dementia drugs across PCT populations.
2008
Barnes TRE, Paton C, Hancock E, Cavanagh MR, Taylor D, Lelliott P, on behalf of the UK Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health. Screening for the metabolic syndrome in community psychiatric patients prescribed antipsychotics: a quality improvement programme.
Paton C, Barnes TRE, Cavanagh MR, Taylor D, Lelliott P. High-dose and combination antipsychotic prescribing in acute adult wards in the UK: the challenges posed by PRN prescribing. .
2007
Barnes TRE, Paton C, Cavanagh M, Hancock E, Taylor DM. A UK audit of screening for the metabolic side effects of antipsychotics in community patients.
James L, Barnes TRE, Lelliott P, Taylor D, Paton C. Informing patients of the teratogenic potential of mood stabilizing drugs: a case note review of the practice of psychiatrists. .
Paton C, Whittington C, Barnes TRE. Augmentation with a second antipsychotic in patients with schizophrenia who partially respond to clozapine; a meta-analysis. .
Conference presentations and posters
Paton C, Bhatti SF, Cookson J, Ferrier IN, Barnes TRE. Valproate for bipolar disorder: the quality of prescribing practice in the UK. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2016:30 (suppl.):A96.
Paton C, Bhatti SF, Purandare K, Roy A, Barnes TRE. The quality of prescribing of psychotropic medicines for people with intellectual disability under the care of UK mental health services. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2016:30 (suppl.):A110
Barnes TRE, Bhatti SF, Adroer R, Paton C. Screening for cardio-metabolic risk factors in people on continuing antipsychotic medication: a six-year, UK quality improvement programme. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2015, 29 (suppl. to issue 8); A79
Paton C, Chee S, Drummond C, Lingford-Hughes A, Loubser I, Barnes TRE. Medically assisted withdrawal from alcohol: an audit of practice in acute adult psychiatric wards in the UK conducted by the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health (POMH-UK). Journal of Psychopharmacology 2015, 29 (suppl. to issue 8);A109
Paton C, Adroer R, Barnes TRE. Prescribing practice for ADHD in children, adolescents and adults in the UK (abstract). Journal of Psychopharmacology 2014: 28 (Suppl.) (8):A123.
Barnes TRE, Chee S, Paton C. Prescribing of anti-dementia drugs in the UK (abstract). Journal of Psychopharmacology 2014: 28 (Suppl.) (8):A69
Barnes TRE. Towards a collaborative intervention that improves the lives of patients with schizophrenia: clinicians as drivers of policy change. 22nd European Congress of Psychiatry, 1-4 March 2014, Munich.
Pope A, Paton C, Shingleton-Smith A, McIntyre S, Hancock E, Baker J, Haddad P, Barnes TRE. The quality of side effect monitoring in people prescribed long-acting antipsychotic injections. BAP summer meeting 26-29 July 2009, Oxford.
Paton C, Barnes TRE, Shingleton-Smith A, McAllister-Williams H, McIntyre S on behalf of the POMH-UK project team. Prescribing patterns with lithium in unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. BAP summer meeting 26-29 July 2009, Oxford.
Pope A. ‘Methods Used to Assess Adverse Effects in a Sample of Reports of Clinical Studies of Antipsychotic Medication’. International Congress of Schizophrenia Research, San Diego, 30 March 2009.
Adams S, Barnes TRE, Paton C, Inglis G. 'Benchmarking Prescribing Practice'. Annual Meeting of the 网曝黑料, Imperial College, London, 1-4 July 2008.
Paton C, Barnes TRE, Brooke D, Petch E, Shingleton-Smith A. Prevalence of, and rationale for, the prescription of high-dose and combined antipsychotics in forensic settings in the UK. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2008, Abstract suppl to vol 22. A44.
Barnes TRE, Paton C, Cavanagh MR, Hancock E, Taylor DM, Lelliott P on behalf of the POMH-UK project team. A UK audit of screening for the metabolic syndrome in community psychiatric patients prescribed antipsychotics. BAP summer meeting 2007. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2007, Abstract suppl to vol 21; TD 21. A61.
Paton C. Current issues in psychopharmacology. Maudsley Mediterranean Forum, Palermo, Sicily, 21-24 October 2007.
Paton C, Barnes TRE, Cavanagh M, Lelliott P, Taylor D, on behalf of the POMH-UK project team. Findings of a quality improvement project on the prescription of high-dose and combined antipsychotics for acute adult psychiatric patients. BAP summer meeting 2007. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2007, Abstract suppl to vol 21; TD 19. A61.
Barnes TRE, Paton C, Hancock E, Cavanagh M, Taylor D, Lelliott P, and the POMH-UK project team. Screening for the metabolic syndrome in people receiving antipsychotic medication in assertive outreach teams: Results of the POMH-UK baseline audit (abstract). ICOSR, Broadmoor, Colorado, March 2007. Schizophrenia Bulletin 2007; 33:494.
Paton C, Barnes TRE, Lelliott P, Taylor D. Prescribing audit of high dose and combined antipsychotics for patients on adult acute and psychiatric intensive care wards. BAP summer meeting 2006. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2006, Abstract suppl to vol 20; A22.
Paton C, Whittington C, Barnes TRE. Augmentation of clozapine with a second antipsychotic for treatment resistant schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. BAP summer meeting 2006. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2006, Abstract suppl to vol 20; A22.
Other
Prescribing antipsychotics for people with dementia
POMH-UK features in MHRA Drug Safety Update
Related articles
Tyrer P, Cooper S-A, Hassiotis A. Drug treatments in people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour. BMJ 2014; 349 doi: (Published 04 July 2014). To cite: BMJ 2014;349:g4323
Glover G, Bernard S, Branford D, Hollard A, Strydom, A. Use of medication for challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability.
POMH is committed to improving the prescribing practice of specialist mental health Trusts and healthcare organisations. Service users can play an important role within their service as part of this process, which we wholeheartedly support.
As a service user, you can make a particularly important contribution in the development of change interventions to improve prescribing within your service. You can advise on what measures you and other service users find the most helpful and effective.
You can see whether your service is a member of POMH by checking our list of member organisations.
We encourage our members to include service users within their local POMH team, and that someone from the local team attend user group meetings to talk about what is being done in the Trust, enabling service users to be involved.
You can find out more about the prescribing topics addressed by POMH on our Quality Improvement Programme pages. For more information on the work of POMH, please check our FAQs or contact us.
Where else can I get information about medication or being in hospital?
If you have a general query regarding mental health care or medication, we recommend you visit one or more of the links below, all of which have excellent information.
:
The British National Formulary is where most doctors get their information about medication. It lists all drugs with the maximum dose and side effects. It also gives charts of medications that interact badly with each other. It is updated every year.
(NICE):
This is the body that makes recommendations about medication and treatment based on clinical evidence to the NHS. .
:
A mental health charity which supports people who have mental health problems. They provide information leaflets on medication.
:
A mental health charity that supports people who have mental health problems and their carers. They also work with the Cochrane Collaboration to provide plain language summaries about pharmacological and psychotherapeutic trials of treatments for schizophrenia.
(CQC):
If someone is in hospital under the Mental Health Act you have certain rights. The CQC visits psychiatric hospitals to check whether the care being given is of good enough quality. They are available to talk to the detained patients at that time.
:
If someone has a have a side effect that has not been listed for that medication, they can report it to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency by downloading a form from this site, filling it in and sending it back to them.
How patient-centred is your care? Do you involve your patients in decision-making in an open and non-directive way?
The 网曝黑料 has published an online CPD module that addresses these issues, entitled: .
These online learning modules for mental health professionals provide a flexible, interactive way of keeping up to date with progress in mental health.
Modules last between 30 and 90 minutes. Only College members who are practicing psychiatrists can use the modules/podcasts to gain CPD credits, however many other mental health professionals subscribe to the website and use the modules for purely learning purposes.
The cost for 12 months is ?54 for College members and ?128 for non-members.