Hull is one of the worst "hotspots" for schizophrena and other psychotic illnesses, according to the latest research.
Maps based on research by the University of East London reveal the city prescribes among the highest numbers of anti-psychotic medication in the country. Data showed the average number of schizophrenia prescriptions across England was 19 for every 1,000 people
Proffessor Allan Brimicombe, one of the researchers from UEL, told the BBC the pattern, which took into account a 3 per cent rise in prescriptions over five years, could be down to "environmental effects" such as drink and drug abuse.
However, the research also suggests that it could be down to the way different trusts deal with mental health illnesses.
He said: "These changes do not have a strong association with lifestyle types, so it's more likely to be due to differences in policies and practices in the way mental health services are commissioned across the country."
Prof Brimicombe said it could also be down to different attitudes of GPs prescribing medication.
He said: "This raises questions that we can't yet answer, but it helps us raise the question. In each of these areas of high prescriptions there may be a different set of drivers that are leading to this situation.
"Looking into them starts to inform policy into ameliorating it."
The maps were developed using anonymous prescription records collected between October 2015 and September 2016 from surgeries across England. They only record prescriptions written by GPs – not the number of pateints treated.
Researchers said explaining the pattern across the country is difficult and the results pose many questions.
Prof Brimicombe said: "The pattern is not uniformly spread across the country.
"The pattern is very striking."
Doctors in North Kesteven, Lincolnshire, prescribed the most medication, while East Dorsety was prescribed the least.
0 comments: