Editor - In recent years, there has been a welcome increase in awareness of the dangers of prescribed opioids. The links between prescribing practices and rates of opioid-related morbidity and mortality are well established,1 with opioids often overprescribed. This overprescription leads to reservoirs of unconsumed opioids in the community, which can lead to diversion and abuse.2 In 2022 the Health Service Executive (HSE), a statutory body with overall responsibility for the delivery of publicly funded healthcare in Ireland, published guidelines on opioid prescribing in acute noncancer pain,3 postoperative pain, and post-procedure pain. These guidelines recommend a maximum 4-day course of opioids, with longer durations requiring senior approval. Our project aimed to be the first to investigate current postoperative prescribing patterns across three tertiary hospitals in Ireland.