How Prescribing Works

Safe prescribing begins with appropriate clinical assessment.

Prescribing medication is an important clinical responsibility.

At MHWS, every prescribing decision is made by a qualified UK healthcare professional following an appropriate clinical assessment. Our aim is to ensure that any medication prescribed is clinically appropriate, safe and tailored to the individual needs of each Service User.

No two Service Users are the same. For that reason, our clinicians consider your symptoms, medical history, current health, previous treatments and individual circumstances before making any prescribing decision.

Medication is only one part of treatment and is not appropriate for everyone. Where other treatment approaches are likely to provide greater benefit, these will always be discussed with you.

Your Treatment Journey

• Consultation / Clinical Assessment
• Diagnosis (where appropriate)
• Personalised Treatment Plan
• Prescribing Decision (if clinically appropriate)
• Ongoing Treatment & Monitoring
• Regular Clinical Review

Consultation / Clinical Assessment

Most Service Users begin their journey with a consultation, during which one of our clinicians carries out a comprehensive clinical assessment. This enables us to understand your symptoms, medical history, current circumstances and treatment goals before making recommendations about diagnosis or treatment.

Your consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, ask questions and work with your clinician to explore the treatment options that may be appropriate for you. Depending on the service you are accessing, your assessment may also include the review of previous medical records, structured clinical questionnaires or recognised diagnostic assessment tools.

Our clinicians use this information, together with current clinical evidence, recognised professional guidance and their own professional judgement, to develop recommendations that are safe, appropriate and tailored to your individual needs.

Not every Service User will require medication. Where medication is not considered to be the most appropriate treatment, your clinician will discuss alternative recommendations and agree the next steps with you.

Making a Prescribing Decision

Every prescription issued by MHWS is individually reviewed and authorised by a qualified prescriber.

Medication is prescribed only where your clinician believes it is clinically appropriate and in your best interests.

Before prescribing, your clinician will consider your assessment, diagnosis (where appropriate), current health and any monitoring requirements to help ensure treatment is safe and suitable for you.

If medication is not considered appropriate, your clinician will discuss alternative recommendations and agree the next steps with you.

Prescribing Between Clinical Reviews

For many Service Users, treatment continues over a period of time and does not always require a full consultation before every prescription.

Where this forms part of an agreed treatment plan, Service Users may be asked to submit relevant health information, monitoring results or treatment updates between scheduled clinical reviews.

Every submission is individually reviewed by a qualified prescriber.

This approach supports continuity of care while ensuring every prescribing decision continues to receive appropriate clinical oversight.

These prescribing episodes are intended to support ongoing treatment between scheduled clinical reviews rather than replace regular consultations.

Where the information provided raises any clinical concerns, indicates a change in health status or suggests further assessment is needed, your clinician will arrange a video or face-to-face consultation before deciding whether treatment should continue.

Monitoring Your Treatment

Prescribing medication is only one part of safe care.

Depending on your treatment, ongoing monitoring may include:

• Medication reviews
• Blood pressure
• Pulse
• Height and weight
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Cardiovascular assessment
• Electrocardiograms (ECG)
• Echocardiography (where appropriate)
• Validated clinical rating scales
• Regular clinical review appointments

The type and frequency of monitoring will depend on your individual treatment and clinical needs.

Monitoring helps ensure treatment remains safe, effective and appropriate throughout your care.

Working Together

Successful treatment is a partnership between you and your clinical team.

To help us provide safe and effective care, we ask that you:

• Provide accurate information about your health
• Tell us about any changes in your symptoms or medical history
• Attend scheduled reviews
• Complete any monitoring requested by your clinician
• Ask questions if anything is unclear

Open communication helps ensure that treatment decisions continue to reflect your needs and remain safe over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive medication after my consultation?

Not necessarily. Medication is only prescribed where your clinician believes it is clinically appropriate and in your best interests.

Does every prescription require another consultation?

Not always.

For Service Users receiving ongoing care, some prescriptions may be issued between scheduled clinical reviews following clinician review of submitted health information and monitoring data.

Where further assessment is needed, your clinician will arrange a consultation before prescribing continues.

Are prescriptions issued automatically?

No.

Every prescription is individually reviewed and authorised by a qualified prescriber.

What happens if my health changes?

If your clinician believes further assessment is needed, you may be invited to attend a video or face-to-face consultation before treatment continues.

Will I need ongoing monitoring?

Some treatments require regular monitoring to ensure they remain safe and effective.

Your clinician will explain what monitoring is appropriate for your individual treatment.