Background
Due to the complex and often inseparable nature of co-occurring substance misuse and mental health conditions, and the additional challenges that long-term physical health conditions add to recovery, improving the treatment of these conditions alongside treatment for substance misuse will be essential for ensuring that people are given the best opportunity to achieve and maintain recovery in the long term. In partnership with NHS England, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities DHSC have developed a programme that seeks to improve access to and treatment for mental and physical health conditions in people who use drugs and alcohol, and the recognition and treatment of drug and alcohol problems in people seeking health for mental health conditions. This includes improving the provision, pathways, and joint-working at commissioning and service levels.
Evaluation Questions
This evaluation seeks to answer the following questions:
- How has service integration been implemented?
- What effect has funding through Local Authorities into drug and alcohol treatment services had on integration?
- What integrated practices has this enabled and how has this affected staff and service users?
- How have NHS services responded to this and what more is needed from these services to further support integrated care?
- What challenges have been experienced in its implementation?
- What existing challenges is the system facing in improving treatment pathways for co-occurring conditions?
- Has the programme helped to alleviate any of these challenges, and if so, how?
- Has an initial impact been realised?
- What opportunities are there for further development to foster increased improvement in the treatment of co-occurring conditions, including pathways between services?