HEALTHCARE watchdogs today called for a continued drive to improve drug addiction treatment after giving services in Kirklees and Calderdale an “excellent” rating.
The two areas were among only 22 out of 149 to get top marks in the study.
Now health chiefs want to ensure services are delivered
consistently across the country.
A report released today by the Healthcare Commission and the National Treatment Agency (NTA), shows results from the second of three annual reviews to assess the performance of substance misuse treatment services.
Focusing specifically on how services are commissioned and harm reduction service provision, the findings reveal the majority of services are performing well within acceptable levels across these categories.
The number of people receiving specialist drug treatment has increased dramatically, with 195,400 in treatment during 2006/07 – up from 85,000 in 1998/99. Estimates for 2007/8 show 210,800 people will receive treatment.
This means that more drug users than ever before are getting the treatment they need.
The review showed that there had been considerable improvement in the commissioning and performance management of drug treatment services,
resulting in more service users receiving better treatment.
However, there were significant deficits, particularly in the provision of vaccination for hepatitis B and testing and treatment for hepatitis C. As 90% of all hepatitis C diagnoses are associated with injecting drug use, this is a key area of concern.
The review covered 149 ‘local drug partnerships’ in England. Drug treatment is provided by a network of services within a particular locality.
In Kirklees the services are provided by Lifeline.
