Agenda item

Drug and Alcohol Services Recommissioning

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report regarding the award of the drug and alcohol contract.

 

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot introduced the report and provided the background to a cross party working group that had previously been established that recommended to Cabinet current arrangements, he informed that TVP and the NHS had been involved as this important topic cut across all services.  It was noted that the report talked about alcohol and substance abuse and with regards to heroin although the number of people who overcome their addiction was small without this service they could result in criminality.  The service, as well as being important, was also excellent value for money with evidence from Public Health England showed that alcohol treatment reflects a return on investment of £3 for every £1 invested, whilst drug treatment reflects a return on investment of £4 for every £1 invested. He also highlighted that there may be dual diagnosis’s that may need attention, for example a person may have mental health and substance misuse issues that both need to be addressed to get a positive outcome.

 

The Chairman commended the report and mentioned that earlier they had talked about zero tolerance and with drug dealing they had zero tolerance, especially due to its impact on those vulnerable in society.  This report showed the other side of the coin where support was provided by those suffering from substance misuse.

 

Cllr Carroll apologised for not being able to attend in person to present this important paper standing in his name as this was a critical service.  He mentioned that our CQC rating remained good and this paper sought to progress the excellent service looking to build upon excellent work.  This delivery model builds on existing partnerships to encourage community cohesion and self-care and tackle key themes linked to multiple disadvantages.  The new contract brought together different elements into one integrated contract.  It acknowledged the importance of a multi agency and service approach. 

 

The Lead Member for Housing, Sport, Leisure and Community Engagement reiterated the importance of a multi service approach.  The report mentioned mental health, housing and substance misuse.  People who did not have sustainable housing could become vulnerable to substance misuse; all three areas were important to address. 

 

Cllr Tisi said she welcomed the evidence based paper to help the needs of residents.  She was concerned to read that there was between 40% to 60% of RBWM residents were drinking at an increased risk level of alcohol per week but there was a low level seeking support.  She welcomed the recruitment of a substance misuse officer in children’s social care.  Shem mentioned that the report said there was no additional funding required and asked what would happen to this important service if funding was reduced, what would be prioritised.  She mentioned that page 40 of the report mentioned that ‘there may be a need for admission to detoxification and rehabilitation units, although in RBWM this was uncommon due to individuals not meeting the level of need set out in locally-defined admission criteria.’ Cllr Tis asked what this criteria was.

 

Cllr Carroll replied that the funding was ringfenced from the Public Health Grant and that there had recently been an increase in funding so he did not see any high risk of funding being reduced, this was backed up by recent Government announcements.   He said that he would ask officer to reply to Cllr Tisi’s question regarding the local admission criteria.

 

Cllr Hasler supported the paper and referred to his previous employment as a police officer and how he had signposted people to these valuable services.  He reiterated his support for the paper.

 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

 

 i) Agrees to award the Drug and Alcohol Service Contract to the Preferred Provider.

 

Supporting documents: