Wim’s protocol: how to safely monitor clozapine

Wim’s protocol: how to safely monitor clozapine

From CPD eLearning talks to... by Royal College of Psychiatrists

March 30, 2026 · 59 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the development of 'Wim's protocol' for safer clozapine monitoring following the death of William Northcott.

When 39-year old William (Wim) Northcott died in 2021 in his residential care home, his sister Kate began a determined search for answers. She discovered that Wim’s prescribed medication, clozapine, had materially contributed to his death. Over the next three years, Kate investigated widespread failures in clozapine monitoring, culminating in her findings being published in The Times in January 2024. Refusing to let Wim’s death pass without meaningful change, Kate worked with the Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and collaborated closely with the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr Lade Smith and her team. Together, they developed ‘Wim’s protocol’, a new approach to safer clozapine monitoring. In this episode, you’ll hear directly from the experts behind this groundbreaking protocol. They will: - explore the drivers and impact of preventable clozapine-related deaths outline how carers can support loved ones who take clozapine - introduce the key elements of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ new safety guidance, and - discuss the future of clozapine monitoring, including potential changes to blood-test frequency. Disclaimer…

People in this episode

Guests: Kate Northcott, Dr Lade Smith

Topics covered

  • clozapine monitoring
  • mental health
  • patient safety

Keywords

  • Wim's protocol
  • clozapine
  • medication safety
  • MHRA

Mentioned in this episode

Products: clozapine

More episodes of CPD eLearning talks to...

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the CPD eLearning talks to... podcast page.