Important update on Opioid Drugs at Neetside Surgery

🔔 Important Update on Opioid Drugs at Neetside Surgery.

Opioid drugs are helpful for short-term pain relief. But long-term use carries significant risks including worsening pain and even death.

Following tragic reports of prescription drug related deaths in Cornwall and elsewhere, Neetside surgery has decided to review our patients taking long-term opioids, and other drugs that may cause addiction.

Examples of opioid medications include the following: (not exhaustive) · Codeine, Morphine, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Tapentadol, Matrifen, Sevredol, Oramorph, MST, Zapain, Oxynorm, Oxycodone, Oxycontin.

There are many risks from long term exposure to these drugs, including: Chronic constipation, Increased pain, Dependency (Addiction), Hormonal Changes, Risk of overdose, Sudden death.

As part of a national initiative to improve prescribing safety, we are reviewing all patients who currently receive regular opioid prescriptions.

💬 If you are affected, we will contact you to discuss your current treatment and explore safer, more effective options for managing pain — including non-medication approaches where appropriate. This may take some time so if you would like to discuss your opioid usage sooner, please contact the surgery via the usual routes.

Our aim is to support your health and wellbeing while reducing the risks associated with long-term opioid use.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. — Neetside Surgery Team