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Drug services in England and Wales: a survey of treatment providers and their medical leads

Somerset Drug Service, Salmon Parade, Bridgwater, SomersetTA6 5PY, e-mail: Nick.Airey{at}sompar.nhs.uk

Stuart McLaren, Consultant Psychiatrist

South Devon Drug Service, Torquay

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

We undertook a postal questionnaire survey of drug action teams in England and Wales with the aim of clarifying the nature of statutory specialist drug services.

RESULTS

Of 159 drug action teams, 110 (69%) responded; 64 (58%) reported that mental health trusts exclusively provided their specialist drug services. Other providers were primary care and acute trusts, the non-statutory sector and social services. The majority of medical leads were psychiatrists (123 senior posts with 20% vacant/occupied by a locum), then general practitioners (GPs)(42) and other specialists (4).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Specialist drug services are offered by a range of treatment providers, with the medical lead being taken by GPs and other specialists in some areas. In view of the current difficulty in recruiting psychiatrists, we propose that alternative training pathways are considered for addiction specialists.