The aim of the audit was to review the follow-up of new SSRI prescriptions for anxiety and depression in a primary care setting and to evaluate this against relevant guidance, including that provided by NICE. NICE guidelines recommend initial follow-up for patients newly prescribed SSRIs for depression at either 1 week or 2 weeks dependent on patients age and the perceived risk of suicide or self-harm.

An audit was carried out of new SSRI prescriptions and subsequent follow-up for 52 patients in a primary care practice in North Derbyshire covering the period January to August/September 2021.

The audit used patient notes which were manually reviewed to assess the initial consultation, prescription, documented suicide/self-harm risk assessment and follow-up plans. The length to initial follow-up and the number of subsequent follow-up appointments were also assessed.

The audit found that the median time to initial follow-up was 14.5 days for patients aged 18–30 years with only 12% compliant with the NICE recommendation of 1 week to follow-up. The median time to initial follow-up was 17.5 days for patients aged >30 years with only 19% compliant with the NICE recommendation of 2 weeks to follow-up. There were no significant differences in follow-up between males and females. 96% and 77% of initial consultations included a documented suicide risk assessment for patients aged 18–30 years and >30 years respectively. 88% of the new SSRI prescriptions were for sertraline 50 mg.

The above findings were presented to the clinical team at the primary care practice meeting with reminders of the NICE recommendations for follow-up and how these vary between different patient groups. The practice will carry out a repeat audit in 12 months.