Bake Off doctor James Morton's mission to safeguard NHS by tackling overprescribing

Glasgow GP and celebrity baker James Morton is on a mission to tackle overprescribing to protect the future of the NHS.

James – who is returning to TV screens on New Year’s Eve as part of the Great British Bake Off Hogmanay special – has a new role with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the lead organisation for improving the quality of healthcare in Scotland.

As part of his new role, James is keen to help tackle the issue of over-prescribing in the NHS – an issue that costs the health service £300m in waste in the UK each year – by ensuring that clinical guidelines and advice put prevention and non-pharmacological treatments ahead of those medicines that don’t help improve the health of the patient in the long term.

This approach not only ensures that healthcare is right for the patient but also supports a more sustainable NHS, benefiting both people and the planet.

The GP is advising people who take medications regularly to consider having a review with their GP at their next visit to ensure their healthcare regime is the right one for them.

He said: “There are so many things we can all do to help our own health and to cut down on over reliance that might lead to waste in the NHS.

“I would ask people, particularly those who have been on medicines for a long time, to have a look at what they are taking and review it with their GP to ensure they’re not taking them unnecessarily.

“I want to emphasise that this is not about saving money, but about improving health and encouraging people to have more involvement in their own health.”

He said: “Traditionally, this time of year is when lots of people resolve to try to lead healthier lives in the new year. It would be good for all of us to think about our health, and our healthcare regimes in general, as part of those fitness and improvement commitments.”

James is also encouraging people to look again, particularly over the festive period, at the regular medication they take and ensure they’re not over-ordering on repeat prescriptions.

The Glasgow GP has been elected as the new vice-chair of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Council, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

James Morton will return to screens for Bake Off Hogmanay special Healthcare Improvement Scotland

SIGN develops guidelines, based on the most recent medical research, to help health and social care professionals make decisions with their patients about care, and make sure patients get the best care available, wherever they live.

James gained national recognition as a finalist on the 2012 season of The Great British Bake Off and has since authored a number of cookbooks.

As a doctor, he uses his platform to advocate for healthier lifestyles and environmental responsibility within the healthcare sector.

James, who lives with his wife and two young children, practices sustainability in his own GP practice in the city’s southside by cycling to see patients.

He said: “Sustainability is an issue for all of us as the vast majority of our carbon footprint is preventable. For GPs, like myself, we need to look at prescribing as at least half of medicines that we prescribe are not taken as prescribed. This is a huge waste.

“For example, we understand the messaging with regards to antibiotics, and not to over prescribe to cut down on antibiotic resistance, but we can certainly use the climate and sustainability argument to add some further emphasis to the good practices we already should be following.

“I want us to try to engage with patients to motivate them to improve their health and prevent illness in future where possible through social prescribing. That means sometimes rather than giving someone medicines, working in a garden or taking part in an exercise class can have greater benefits.”

Safia Qureshi, director of evidence and digital at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We are delighted that James is supporting us with our focus on sustainability. Our guidelines already have a keen focus on sustainability, for example, emphasising effective non-pharmacological treatments, such as our guideline on management of depression, and our forthcoming guideline on type 2 diabetes.

“We want our guidelines and advice to provide the best evidence that will empower people to be fully involved in decisions about their health and wellbeing.”