GP Prescribing Intensity in Hertfordshire and West Essex
Real NHSBSA prescribing data for NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex 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 Hertfordshire and West Essex?
In March 2026, Hertfordshire and West Essex had 48.5 antibiotic, 107.4 antidepressant and 18.5 opioid items per 1,000 registered patients, giving a Gera Prescribing Intensity Index of 27.4/100 (rank 33 of 42), below England average, per NHSBSA EPD data.
| Category | Hertfordshire and West Essex rate | England rate | vs National | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics (BNF ch05) | 48.5 /1k | 48.8 /1k | -0.3 | 80,738 |
| Antidepressants (§04.03) | 107.4 /1k | 128.5 /1k | -21.1 | 178,820 |
| Opioid analgesics (§04.07.02) | 18.5 /1k | 29.8 /1k | -11.3 | 30,837 |
| Registered patients | 1,664,954 | 63,766,671 | — | — |
| GPII (0–100) | 27.4 / 100 | ≈42.6 (England equiv.) | Rank 33 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.
Hertfordshire and West Essex
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board
Hertfordshire and West Essex is below England average across the three key prescribing chapters — ranked 33 of 42 ICBs by combined prescribing intensity (March 2026).
| Category | This ICB /1k | England /1k | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | 48.5 | 48.8 | -0.3 |
| Antidepressants | 107.4 | 128.5 | -21.1 |
| Opioid analgesics | 18.5 | 29.8 | -11.3 |
Registered patients: 1,664,954 (QOF HYP listSize 2024/25). Data: NHSBSA EPD March 2026, OGL v3.0. Full Hertfordshire and West Essex page →
How Hertfordshire and West Essex compares to other ICBs
GPII rank 33 of 42. ICBs near the top of the intensity scale:
GP prescribing in Hertfordshire and West Essex: frequently asked questions
- What is the antibiotic prescribing rate in Hertfordshire and West Essex?
- In March 2026, Hertfordshire and West Essex had 48.5 antibiotic items per 1,000 registered patients (BNF chapter 05: Infections), from 80,738 total antibiotic items across 1,664,954 registered patients. The England average is 48.8 per 1,000; Hertfordshire and West Essex is -0.3 vs national.
- How does Hertfordshire and West Essex's antidepressant prescribing compare to England?
- Hertfordshire and West Essex had 107.4 antidepressant items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.03) in March 2026, compared to the England average of 128.5 per 1,000 — -21.1 vs national. Total antidepressant items: 178,820.
- What is the opioid prescribing rate in Hertfordshire and West Essex?
- Hertfordshire and West Essex prescribed 18.5 opioid analgesic items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.07.02) in March 2026. The England average is 29.8 per 1,000; Hertfordshire and West Essex is -11.3 vs national. Total opioid items: 30,837.
- What is Hertfordshire and West Essex's GPII and what does it mean?
- Hertfordshire and West Essex scores 27.4/100 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). Hertfordshire and West Essex ranks 33 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).