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Shared care for treatment of opioid dependence and the new General Medical Services contract

North West Herts Community Drug and Alcohol Team, Hertfordshire Partnership Trust, Hemel Hempstead

Christos Kouimtsidis

^*Section of Addictive Behaviour, Division of Mental Health, 6th floor, Hunter Wing, St. George’s University of London, CrammerTerrace, London SW17 0RE, email: ckouimts{at}sgul.ac.uk

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHODS

An audit of clients in specialist and shared care services was undertaken in 2003 and in 2005 to investigate the capacity, quality of prescribed medication and profile of clients, and to assess the impact of the new General Medical Services contract on drug misuse treatment.

RESULTS

Capacity in specialist services increased by 55% from 2003 to 2005, but not in shared care, and type and dosage of prescribed medication improved for shared care. Profile of clients suggests that stable clients are treated within shared care.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Attention should be given in training general practitioners to provide shared care treatment, increasing the number of clients accepted in shared care, and considering new treatment models.