GP Prescribing Intensity in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
Real NHSBSA prescribing data for NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, March 2026 — antibiotic, antidepressant and opioid items per 1,000 patients, plus the Gera Prescribing Intensity Index (GPII).
What are the antibiotic, antidepressant and opioid prescribing rates in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes?
In March 2026, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes had 50.4 antibiotic, 94.0 antidepressant and 21.3 opioid items per 1,000 registered patients, giving a Gera Prescribing Intensity Index of 28.1/100 (rank 32 of 42), below England average, per NHSBSA EPD data.
| Category | Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes rate | England rate | vs National | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics (BNF ch05) | 50.4 /1k | 48.8 /1k | +1.5 | 57,774 |
| Antidepressants (§04.03) | 94.0 /1k | 128.5 /1k | -34.5 | 107,860 |
| Opioid analgesics (§04.07.02) | 21.3 /1k | 29.8 /1k | -8.6 | 24,423 |
| Registered patients | 1,146,901 | 63,766,671 | — | — |
| GPII (0–100) | 28.1 / 100 | ≈42.6 (England equiv.) | Rank 32 of 42 | — |
Compare prescribing rates across ICBs
Pick any Integrated Care Board to see its antibiotic, antidepressant and opioid rates vs the England average, with GPII rank.
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes is below England average across the three key prescribing chapters — ranked 32 of 42 ICBs by combined prescribing intensity (March 2026).
| Category | This ICB /1k | England /1k | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | 50.4 | 48.8 | +1.5 |
| Antidepressants | 94.0 | 128.5 | -34.5 |
| Opioid analgesics | 21.3 | 29.8 | -8.6 |
Registered patients: 1,146,901 (QOF HYP listSize 2024/25). Data: NHSBSA EPD March 2026, OGL v3.0. Full Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes page →
How Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes compares to other ICBs
GPII rank 32 of 42. ICBs near the top of the intensity scale:
GP prescribing in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes: frequently asked questions
- What is the antibiotic prescribing rate in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes?
- In March 2026, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes had 50.4 antibiotic items per 1,000 registered patients (BNF chapter 05: Infections), from 57,774 total antibiotic items across 1,146,901 registered patients. The England average is 48.8 per 1,000; Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes is +1.5 vs national.
- How does Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes's antidepressant prescribing compare to England?
- Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes had 94.0 antidepressant items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.03) in March 2026, compared to the England average of 128.5 per 1,000 — -34.5 vs national. Total antidepressant items: 107,860.
- What is the opioid prescribing rate in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes?
- Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes prescribed 21.3 opioid analgesic items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.07.02) in March 2026. The England average is 29.8 per 1,000; Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes is -8.6 vs national. Total opioid items: 24,423.
- What is Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes's GPII and what does it mean?
- Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes scores 28.1/100 on the Gera Prescribing Intensity Index — below England average. The GPII combines antibiotic, antidepressant and opioid rates (each normalised against the England average) into a single 0–100 score. GPII 100 = NHS North East and North Cumbria (highest intensity); GPII 0 = NHS North West London (lowest). Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ranks 32 of 42. See the methodology for the full formula.
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Contains public sector information published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS Business Services Authority — English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) with SNOMED Code, March 2026 (March 2026, published May 2026).