The Healthcare Inspectorate Wales has begun a review into the treatment of substance misuse in Wales.  It is is looking at the planning, commissioning and delivery of treatments that involve prescribing drug substitutes, for example methadone, in the community.  The Inspectorate will look at waiting times, how service users are referred for treatment and what wraparound support services (such as housing, employment and training), they receive during and after treatment.The findings will be used to identify services that are performing well to help improve all treatment services across Wales and to develop treatment guidance.

The review is the first of a series of reviews aimed at helping improve the quality and consistency of treatment services across Wales.  They follow the publication of the new ten-year substance misuse strategy ‘Working Together to Reduce Harm’.

More information is available in the Welsh Assembly Government’s press release.