GP Prescribing Intensity in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Real NHSBSA prescribing data for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria 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 Lancashire and South Cumbria?
In March 2026, Lancashire and South Cumbria had 53.3 antibiotic, 156.0 antidepressant and 43.9 opioid items per 1,000 registered patients, giving a Gera Prescribing Intensity Index of 65.7/100 (rank 5 of 42), above England average, per NHSBSA EPD data.
| Category | Lancashire and South Cumbria rate | England rate | vs National | Total items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics (BNF ch05) | 53.3 /1k | 48.8 /1k | +4.5 | 99,617 |
| Antidepressants (§04.03) | 156.0 /1k | 128.5 /1k | +27.5 | 291,508 |
| Opioid analgesics (§04.07.02) | 43.9 /1k | 29.8 /1k | +14.1 | 82,059 |
| Registered patients | 1,868,985 | 63,766,671 | — | — |
| GPII (0–100) | 65.7 / 100 | ≈42.6 (England equiv.) | Rank 5 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.
Lancashire and South Cumbria
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Lancashire and South Cumbria is above England average across the three key prescribing chapters — ranked 5 of 42 ICBs by combined prescribing intensity (March 2026).
| Category | This ICB /1k | England /1k | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | 53.3 | 48.8 | +4.5 |
| Antidepressants | 156.0 | 128.5 | +27.5 |
| Opioid analgesics | 43.9 | 29.8 | +14.1 |
Registered patients: 1,868,985 (QOF HYP listSize 2024/25). Data: NHSBSA EPD March 2026, OGL v3.0. Full Lancashire and South Cumbria page →
How Lancashire and South Cumbria compares to other ICBs
GPII rank 5 of 42. ICBs near the top of the intensity scale:
GP prescribing in Lancashire and South Cumbria: frequently asked questions
- What is the antibiotic prescribing rate in Lancashire and South Cumbria?
- In March 2026, Lancashire and South Cumbria had 53.3 antibiotic items per 1,000 registered patients (BNF chapter 05: Infections), from 99,617 total antibiotic items across 1,868,985 registered patients. The England average is 48.8 per 1,000; Lancashire and South Cumbria is +4.5 vs national.
- How does Lancashire and South Cumbria's antidepressant prescribing compare to England?
- Lancashire and South Cumbria had 156.0 antidepressant items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.03) in March 2026, compared to the England average of 128.5 per 1,000 — +27.5 vs national. Total antidepressant items: 291,508.
- What is the opioid prescribing rate in Lancashire and South Cumbria?
- Lancashire and South Cumbria prescribed 43.9 opioid analgesic items per 1,000 patients (BNF §04.07.02) in March 2026. The England average is 29.8 per 1,000; Lancashire and South Cumbria is +14.1 vs national. Total opioid items: 82,059.
- What is Lancashire and South Cumbria's GPII and what does it mean?
- Lancashire and South Cumbria scores 65.7/100 on the Gera Prescribing Intensity Index — above 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). Lancashire and South Cumbria ranks 5 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).