AWMSG's Acknowledgement process aims to highlight resources, initiatives or campaigns that are already recognised or endorsed by a national body or institute and have been implemented or accepted as good practice within NHS Wales.
Acknowledged resources support the recommendations in our current AWMSG Medicines Strategy, or are considered to be significantly relevant for medicines optimisation in Wales.
Please note
Current acknowledged resources
The All Wales Antimicrobial Guidelines Group (AWAGG) has produced a number of specialist guidelines on the use of antimicrobials in certain scenarios. These guidelines have been consulted on through AWAGG, the local Welsh Antimicrobial Stewardship Teams, and checked by the antimicrobial pharmacist network, microbiology and specialists as needed. The work of AWAGG is supported by the Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance & Prescribing Programme (HARP) team within Public Health Wales.
The specialist guidelines developed by AWAGG are made available via the Public Health Wales website. AWMSG have acknowledged the following resources as examples of good practice:
One of the primary goals for the Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy (SACT) leads of the Cancer Network is to produce a single set of All Wales protocols and supporting guidelines, which can drive harmonisation of practice across Wales and facilitate a move to a single SACT ePrescribing system.
SACT resources developed by the Cancer Network are made available via the NHS Wales Executive website. AWMSG have acknowledged the following resources as examples of good practice:
There is current concern about the use of antipsychotic medications, and ensuring that they are used appropriately and safely. The use of a comprehensive, person centred assessment tool to support the prescribing of these medicines has been recommended. The Adverse Drug Reaction (ADRe) profile has been developed by researchers in Swansea University to identify adverse reactions and been proven to reduce the use of antipsychotic medicines.
Find out more:
It is important to note that use of ADRe does not replace the need for healthcare professionals or patients to report any identified adverse effects of medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme.
Acknowledged by AWMSG: April 2023
With development supported by the Antimicrobial Resistance Delivery Board for Wales (AMRDB), the Antibiotic Review Kit (ARK) Hospital Medication Administration Record is to be used throughout all secondary care settings for acute hospital patients in Wales, providing a consistent template for review of antibiotic prescribing.
The latest version of the chart has been implemented following the results of the Antibiotic Review Kit (ARK) study. ARK is an antimicrobial stewardship behaviour change toolkit, based around the principles of Start Smart Then Focus (SSTF) and aimed at improving review of antibiotics by 72 hours, and stopping or revising treatment.
Access a sample version of the record:
Acknowledged by AWMSG: September 2022
New guidance providing evidence-based recommendations on the management of cellulitis for people with lymphoedema/chronic oedema has been developed and published by the Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network. The guideline includes advice on diagnosis and red flags, antibiotic pathways and a management plan.
The document has been approved by Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network Strategy Board, the National Lymphoedema Cellulitis Improvement Programme (NLCIP) and the All-Wales Antimicrobial Guidance Group (AWAGG).
Find out more (Please note: this guideline is currently only accessible to staff within NHS Wales via Microsoft SharePoint):
Acknowledged by AWMSG: December 2021
Produced by the Welsh Heart Failure Expert Reference Group, this guideline for optimising treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction focusses on the latest available evidence to promote the initiation of four medicine groups, all of which have significant early benefit on mortality and morbidity. The four medicine groups include: beta blockers; mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists; angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors; and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. This guideline encourages the quick optimisation of medicine doses resulting in minimal visits for patients, and so providing better value for patients and NHS Wales through improved outcomes and efficiencies.
Find out more (Please note: this guideline is currently only accessible to staff within NHS Wales, and may require submission of an access request): Heart Failure in Wales in 2021 – A Parallel Approach
Acknowledged by AWMSG: December 2021
The Evidence Based Procurement Board (EBPB) makes recommendations and produces guidance for value and evidence-based procurement of medical technologies for NHS Wales, assisting with the rationalisation and standardisation agenda in line with Prudent Healthcare principles, and is underpinned with the “Once for Wales” philosophy.
In 2021, the EBPB updated their recommendations on the use of antimicrobial wound dressings (AWDs) for NHS Wales, which have subsequently been adopted by Tissue Viability nurses, the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) procurement wound management group, and most formulary groups across NHS Wales.
Find out more: Antimicrobial Wound Dressings (AWDs) – Statement, Recommendations and Guidance
Acknowledged by AWMSG: December 2021
The Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have published a position statement strongly recommending that when children require unlicensed liquid medications, they should receive the RCPCH and NPPG recommended strength, where one exists.
By standardising the prescribed strengths of these medicines, the guidance will reduce the risk of errors being made in the doses given to children and prevent hospitalisation from accidental under and overdoses.
Find out more: Using Standardised Concentrations of Unlicensed Liquid Medicines in Children
Acknowledged by AWMSG: September 2020
These principles have been developed by the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) Cymru Ltd in partnership with the All Wales Heads of Adults' Services Group (AWASH) and NHS Wales, to provide a template for the development of medicines policies so that medicines support is delivered in a consistent way across Wales.
This work is supported and endorsed as good practice by the following organisations:
Find out more: National Guiding Principles for Medicines Support in the Domiciliary Sector
Acknowledged by AWMSG: February 2020
Making Choices Together was a movement to encourage open conversations between patients and their clinicians to make decisions together about the right care for the patient informed by good evidence and responsive to the needs and wishes of the patient.
Find out more: Making Choices Together (Archived)
Acknowledged by AWMSG: February 2019
The Your Medicines Your Health campaign provides a public education programme about the benefits of safe and effective use, storage and disposal of medicines.
The campaign centres around advertising and promotional material, personal talks and presentations, using simple messages and giving people easy actions that they can take to improve their medicines management.
Find out more: Your Medicines Your Health
Acknowledged by AWMSG: February 2019