News
Changes to Misuse of Drugs Legislation
22 Dec 2005
Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 came into effect on 14th November 2005. Changes relevant to substance misuse services are:
- Removal of the requirement to hand-write prescriptions for controlled drugs;
- Introduction of a statutory framework to permit electronic controlled drug registers;
- Amendment of the definition of Extended Formulary Nurse Prescribers, and the circumstances in which they can prescribe controlled drugs; and
- Addition of ascorbic acid to the list of products exempted from the prohibition on supply to drug users.
Roles and Responsibilities - NTA press release
23 Sep 2005
NTA PRESS RELEASE 23 September 2005
Report will help “end confusion about the role of doctors in drug treatment”
A recent report, published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) and the Royal College of General Practitioners, will help “end confusion about the role of doctors in drug treatment and ensure their skills are fully utilised”, according to the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA).
The publication, entitled 'Roles and responsibilities of doctors in the provision of treatment for drug and alcohol misusers', is a culmination of three years work by the two leading colleges involved in the sector, with input from the National Treatment Agency and the Department of Health.
Designed as a resource for treatment commissioners, providers and doctors, the report seeks to clarify the role of different specialists, as well as the skills and competencies they require to work with drug and alcohol users. The report also provides examples of how doctors with a range of competencies, from addiction psychiatrists to GPs, can work together to provide a comprehensive range of drug treatment services in an area.
The NTA has produced a separate summary of the report focusing specifically on drug treatment.
Commenting on the publication, Dr Emily Finch, clinical psychiatrist at the NTA and member of the Addictions Executive of the RCPsych, said:
“In recent years there has been a large increase in the number of doctors working with drug users. The expansion has resulted in a mixed picture with
individual doctors working in different ways with a variety of competencies. It has also meant that the full skills of some drug treatment practitioners are not been utilised.
“In the context of a wider drive by the NTA to increase the effectiveness of treatment services, this report should help clarify how local treatment systems can draw on a range of specialists to meet the needs of drug users and the skills required for each role.
“It also highlights need for all doctors to be part of a proper clinical governance structure, with regular supervision and appraisal to ensure they have the competencies consistent with their role.”
A full copy of the report is available from the Royal College of Psychiatrists website www.rcpsych.ac.uk. A summary for drug treatment providers and commissioners can be found on the NTA website www.nta.nhs.uk
------------------------------
The full report is also available on the SCAN website.
Harm reduction abandoned
20 Apr 2005
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been forced to abandon its campaign to reduce AIDS transmission by harm reduction measures including needle exchange after threats from the US government to withdraw funding. Rates of HIV and Hepatitis C are expected to rise as a consequence.
The US is a major donor for UNODC and other UN agencies and under its current administration opposes any programme that is not abstinence-based. UNODC has agreed to remove references to harm reduction and needle/syringe exchange from its documents, websites and publications. UNODC has been an important partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS among vulnerable groups and a strong advocate for improved HIV and drug policy.
The shift in policy will have serious implications for Britain, which remains committed to harm reduction domestically and through aid programmes funded by the Department for International Development.
Source: The Observer, 6 Feb 2005
Change in NHS prescribing regulations
20 Apr 2005
Effective from 14 April 2005, a change in NHS prescribing regulations allows for instalment prescribing of diazepam for the treatment of drug addiction. The Instalment dispensing prescription form can be used only for the purpose of ordering the supply by instalments, the period of treatment is not to exceed 14 days, and the prescriber must specify the number of instalments to be dispensed and the interval between each instalment.
Guidance, including the type of patient a prescriber may wish to consider this new option for, will be available shortly on the Department of Health website.
For more information please contact the National Prescription Research Centre:
Tel: 020 8441 8427
www.psnc.org.uk
GMC Hearing Resumes
13 Oct 2004
Last Monday the GMC resumed its hearing of charges of serious professional misconduct against seven private doctors at the Stapleford Centre, including its founder, Dr Colin Brewer. The hearing opened in February but was postponed when Dr Brewer, 62, fell ill. The clinic, based in London and Essex, provides substitute prescriptions to up to 300 patients.
The case was brought following the death of a patient. Subsequently, 29 charges have been brought relating to other patients at the clinic.
If the charges are upheld, the disruption to services and possible closure of the clinic would likely have a knock-on effect to NHS doctors in London and Essex. Reports indicate that many patients would be most appropriately managed by an addiction specialist.
All Stapleford doctors deny acting improperly. The hearing is expected to last three months.
SCAN – formally launched
29 Sep 2004
The 16/17th of September saw the formal launch conference of SCAN at the Belfry Hotel, Warwickshire. The event was exceptionally well attended with over 140 delegates from throughout the British Isles. The extensive programme focussed on the role of SCAN and the Addiction Specialist.
The processes employed to influence national and local developments were highlighted with a case study being utilised to create lively debate.
The parallel sessions were enthusiastically attended and focussed on how to optimise alcohol treatments and opiate interventions. The third parallel session, “How to be an expert witness” was equally well received by members.
Most of all this was an excellent opportunity for addiction specialists to meet and ‘network’: an opportunity which was enthusiastically taken up.
The SCAN Team would like to thank all those who participated. Once we have obtained approval from all speakers we will post the presentations from the conference on this site. If you have not already done so we would like you to return your evaluation forms.
Prevention of Suicide Among Young Men
29 Sep 2004
As part of the government's suicide prevention strategy in England, three pilot schemes have been launched to reduce the risk of suicide among young men. The development of the mental health promotion pilots is being carried out by the National Institute for Mental Health in England.
www.nimhe.org.uk
£219 MILLION EXTRA FUNDING FOR DRUG TREATMENT
29 Sep 2004
The most problematic drug users in the country are to be targeted by extra money.
Health Secretary, John Reid, has set out the details of the boost in funding that will see the budget of every Drug Action Team increase by around 55% by 2008. £179 million of the extra money will go directly to Drug Action Teams to double the amount spent on treating 50,000 most seriously affected drug users.
For more information follow the link below:
www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=130773
Publication Alert
15 Sep 2004
This new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare outlines statistics about alcohol and other drug treatment services and their clients.
The report includes information about the types of drug problems for which treatment is sought and the types of treatment provided.
www.aihw.gov.au/publications/hse/aodts02-03/aodts02-03.pdf
Publication - National Drug Strategy - Australia
02 Sep 2004
In August 2004 the Australian Government published the following document:
National Learning Objectives and Assessment Procedures for the Pharmacological Management of Opioid Dependence
For more information follow the link below:
www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/publications/illicit.htm
NTA Standards & Inspection of Drug Misuse Services
02 Sep 2004
The National Treatment Agency and the Healthcare Commission have agreed to work in partnership to review drug misuse treatment systems and services.
In 2004/05 this will involve working with a small number of pilot sites and then rolling out the review to all treatment communities in 2005/06. The first reviews will focus on community prescribing and care planning and co-ordination.
This work will be led by a small staff team who will be supported by advisors. The Healthcare Commission and the NTA will soon be inviting applications for these roles.
The inclusion of Clinicians as advisors is vital and we hope you will support this work programme as it develops – details of which will be posted on the NTA website. Contact: <a href="mailto:diane.french@nta-nhs.org.uk">diane.french@nta-nhs.org.uk</a>
www.nta.nhs.uk/
NICE & Drug Misuse Guidance
15 Aug 2004
The management and care of drug misuse has been included in the work programme for the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). The announcement was made in June with the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government referring the treatment of drug misuse for the development of clinical guidelines.
Additionally, methadone and bupenorphine as opiate substitutes and naltrexone as a treatment of relapse prevention were within the sixteen technologies put forward for appraisal by NICE. The expected date of issue of these appraisals is November 2006.
www.nice.org.uk
NTA invitations to tender
20 Jan 2004
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) invite appropriate organisations, partnerships and individuals to tender for the following project:
17 January 2005 – review of non-SMI mental illness in substance misuse
The NTA invites you to submit a proposal for a piece of work as set out in the tender invitation below. The deadline for tenders is Tues 1 February 2005 . Email correspondence is acceptable, although this should be followed by a hard copy. The project manager for this work is Dr Emily Finch who you should contact if you have any questions (Tel. 020 7972 2388).
All tender documents are also available on their website at:
www.nta.nhs.uk
©2003-2010 joi & scan - site policies