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Expanding ANP Roles: Leading Benzodiazepine Deprescribing in Primary Care
Nicola KAVANAGH et Naomi SMITH
Benzodiazepines are primarily used for short periods to manage acute anxiety, addiction, agitation and neurological disorders (The Medical Council 2025). Long term use poses risks to patient safety (HSE 2021). A candidate advanced nurse practitioner (cANP) led initiative was formulated in our practice, aiming to reduce repeat prescribing of benzodiazepines in general practice, in an area of social deprivation.