GP Prescribing Intensity in Birmingham and Solihull
Real NHSBSA prescribing data for NHS Birmingham and Solihull 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 Birmingham and Solihull?
In March 2026, Birmingham and Solihull had 45.9 antibiotic, 95.1 antidepressant and 21.0 opioid items per 1,000 registered patients, giving a Gera Prescribing Intensity Index of 25.5/100 (rank 34 of 42), below England average, per NHSBSA EPD data.
| Category | Birmingham and Solihull rate | England rate | vs National | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics (BNF ch05) | 45.9 /1k | 48.8 /1k | -3.0 | 75,605 |
| Antidepressants (§04.03) | 95.1 /1k | 128.5 /1k | -33.4 | 156,764 |
| Opioid analgesics (§04.07.02) | 21.0 /1k | 29.8 /1k | -8.8 | 34,656 |
| Registered patients | 1,647,789 | 63,766,671 | — | — |
| GPII (0–100) | 25.5 / 100 | ≈42.6 (England equiv.) | Rank 34 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.
Birmingham and Solihull
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board
Birmingham and Solihull is below England average across the three key prescribing chapters — ranked 34 of 42 ICBs by combined prescribing intensity (March 2026).
| Category | This ICB /1k | England /1k | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | 45.9 | 48.8 | -3.0 |
| Antidepressants | 95.1 | 128.5 | -33.4 |
| Opioid analgesics | 21.0 | 29.8 | -8.8 |
Registered patients: 1,647,789 (QOF HYP listSize 2024/25). Data: NHSBSA EPD March 2026, OGL v3.0. Full Birmingham and Solihull page →
How Birmingham and Solihull compares to other ICBs
GPII rank 34 of 42. ICBs near the top of the intensity scale:
GP prescribing in Birmingham and Solihull: frequently asked questions
- What is the antibiotic prescribing rate in Birmingham and Solihull?
- In March 2026, Birmingham and Solihull had 45.9 antibiotic items per 1,000 registered patients (BNF chapter 05: Infections), from 75,605 total antibiotic items across 1,647,789 registered patients. The England average is 48.8 per 1,000; Birmingham and Solihull is -3.0 vs national.
- How does Birmingham and Solihull's antidepressant prescribing compare to England?
- Birmingham and Solihull had 95.1 antidepressant items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.03) in March 2026, compared to the England average of 128.5 per 1,000 — -33.4 vs national. Total antidepressant items: 156,764.
- What is the opioid prescribing rate in Birmingham and Solihull?
- Birmingham and Solihull prescribed 21.0 opioid analgesic items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.07.02) in March 2026. The England average is 29.8 per 1,000; Birmingham and Solihull is -8.8 vs national. Total opioid items: 34,656.
- What is Birmingham and Solihull's GPII and what does it mean?
- Birmingham and Solihull scores 25.5/100 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). Birmingham and Solihull ranks 34 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).