Enhanced Commissioning Framework (ECF) 2026/27 – Hertfordshire

The prescribing guidance, formularies, pathways and information on this website have transferred from the predecessor organisations that now form NHS Central East ICB.

Guidance may not be available for all clinical topics or geographic areas. Where guidance is available, it is clearly identified as applying to Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK), Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (C&P), Hertfordshire or Central East (CE).

Guidance labelled Central East (CE) has been harmonised and approved for use across NHS Central East ICB. Where CE guidance is not available, local arrangements for BLMK, C&P or Hertfordshire remain in place.

General

Hertfordshire

Areas of Focus for 2026/27 ECF Target – Summary Document (pdf)

Eclipse Live Advice and Guidance – Q & A (pdf)

General prescribing

Hertfordshire

Guidance on clinically appropriate brand prescribing (pdf)

Position statement on generic prescribing (pdf)

Prescriber quick guide to prescription processes in primary care (pdf)

Dapagliflozin Switch

Hertfordshire

Optimising prescribing of SGLT2 inhibitors with generic dapagliflozin (pdf)

Dapagliflozin Switch – Patient Letter (docx)

Dapagliflozin Switch – Patient Information Leaflet (pdf)

Dry Eyes

Hertfordshire

Prescribing of Dry Eye Lubrication Drops/Gels – FAQs (pdf)

Dry Eye Disease Treatment Guideline (pdf)

Emollients

Hertfordshire

Emollient guidelines in adults (pdf)

Aveeno switch – Patient letter (docx)

Emollients and how to use them – Patient leaflet (pdf)

Patient Information Leaflet – Managing your Mild Dry Skin Conditions with Over the Counter (OTC) Emollients (pdf)

Care Homes Good Practice Guidance – Emollients (pdf)

Fostair to Bibecfo Switch

Hertfordshire

Quick Reference Guide: Optimising Prescribing in Respiratory (pdf)

Hayfever

Hertfordshire

Patient Information Leaflet – Treating your Hay Fever with Over The Counter (OTC) Medicines (pdf)

Allergic Rhinitis Pathway (pdf)

Heartburn

Hertfordshire

Patient Information Leaflet – Treating your Heartburn and Indigestion with Over The Counter (OTC) Medicines (pdf)

Low Clinical Value

Hertfordshire

Trimipramine – stopping & switching guidance (pdf)

Trimipramine – Patient information leaflet (pdf)

Lidocaine plaster – Patient information leaflet (pdf)

Guide to Deprescribing Lidocaine 5% Plasters (pdf)

Over the Counter (OTC)

Hertfordshire

Self care aware – When should you prescribe? (pdf)

Addendum to National Over the Counter (OTC) Guidance (pdf)

Patient leaflet – Over the counter medicines for minor health conditions (pdf)

Q&A Medicines in School (including the use of salbutamol inhalers and adrenaline auto-injectors) (pdf)

Specials

Hertfordshire

‘Specials’ Alternatives Guidance (pdf)

Guidance on the Use of Solid Oral Dosage Forms in Children (pdf)

Vitamins and Minerals

Hertfordshire

Care Homes Good Practice Guidance – Homely Remedies and Self-Care (pdf)

Lutein and Antioxidant supplements – Information for Patients (pdf)

Other

Hertfordshire

Adult ONS reviews – ECF Q&As (pdf)

Q&A for Appropriate Prescribing of Antimicrobials (pdf)

Q&A – Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) infant formula reduction in spend on inappropriate prescribing (pdf)

Inhaled corticosteroids – High dose ICS Prescribing ECF FAQs (pdf)

Q&A to support implementation of the RCGP/RPS Repeat Prescribing Toolkit (pdf)

Q&A to support the review of repeat prescribing and reducing harm from overprescribing (pdf)